Christmas in the Park got off to an early start this year. Sertoma Park is decorated with a mile and a half of Christmas lights until Dec. 31.

"We thought it might work out better with Thanksgiving and shopping," Larry Hill, chairman for Christmas in the Park, said of the Nov. 23 opening. "It was a success."

It costs $5 for each vehicle to drive through the park. About half of the displays involve movement. The displays include a car with wheels that appear to be moving, and Santa Claus jumping on a teeter-totter.

All proceeds of Christmas in the Park, usually about $30,000, go to the hearing and speech impaired in Bismarck and Mandan.

The park is open from 6 to 10 p.m daily, but on Dec. 7 and 8 the park will be open until midnight.

The Sertoma Club sponsors the Christmas in the Park. Some displays are property of the Sertoma Club and others are sponsored by businesses. People also can pay a fee to set up a display in the park.

- Kay Kemmet