Dec. 1, 2025

Mandan’s Dykshoorn and Heritage Parks are glowing this holiday season as the Annual Holiday Lights on Main continues through the first week of January. The event kicked off on Black Friday with a Grand Lighting and Santa’s arrival, and now visitors can enjoy the displays every evening.

The park features 21 themed light displays,

along with smaller decorations, creating a festive

atmosphere. Guests can enjoy firepits, music, hot chocolate, and on select nights, visit

Santa in a walk-through Winter Wonderland. Sponsor-powered nights add extra

activities, food, or surprises.

Other attractions include the Holiday Lights Tree Shop, run by the Dacotah Mandan

Lions, and the Christmas Trees of Charity at the Morton Mandan Public Library.

Holiday Lights on Main takes place at Dykshoorn Park: 511 W Main St and Heritage

Park: 301 W Main St.

More information is available at MandanProgress.org.

The Mandan Progress Organization (MPO), in partnership with Pegasus Illuminations, LLC, will host an unprecedented New Year’s Eve event on December 31, 2025, featuring a world record attempt with 2.5 million roman candle shots. The 20-minute patriotic pyro-musical, titled “New Year, New Light – Remember Our Veterans 2026,” will begin at 10 p.m. and be viewable from the Mandan High School parking lot.

The show will officially launch North Dakota’s U.S. 250th celebration year and is designed to honor veterans through an immersive combination of music, fireworks, and visual effects. Organizers hope the event will serve as a powerful tribute to courage, sacrifice, and unity.

The event also has a $30,000 fundraising goal, with proceeds benefiting the Wounded

Warrior Project, Western North Dakota Honor Flight, and the Mandan High School

Marching Band, which will represent North Dakota in the 2027 London New Year’s Day

Parade. Funds will be raised through reserved parking admissions and online donations.

“This show is bigger than fireworks. It’s a moment for us to unite, honor our heroes, support our young people, and proudly launch North Dakota’s U.S. 250th celebrations,” said Matt Schanandore, Executive Director of the Mandan Progress Organization. “We hope families from across the region will join us for a night that will quite literally light up the sky for a cause that truly matters.”

Tickets are available online only at VisitMandan.com.

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality has named Brad Glass, City of Mandan Utility Superintendent, as its 2025 Operator of the Year.

This prestigious award recognizes Glass’s exceptional leadership and commitment to excellence in water and wastewater management. His selection was based on several key achievements:

• Consistently thorough field and inspection reports
• Strong compliance with state environmental regulations
• Active participation in the North Dakota Operator Training & Certification Program
• Ongoing involvement in professional organizations, including the ND Water and Pollution Control Conference (NDWPCC), American Public Works Association (APWA), North Dakota Water Environment Association (NWEA), and American Water Works Association (AWWA

Glass leads the City’s Utility Division within the Public Works Department, overseeing water and wastewater operations, maintenance, and system improvements.

The City of Mandan congratulates Brad and the entire Public Works Utility team on this well-deserved honor.

Winter Business Awards Return

Businesses can once again earn recognition this season for helping keep Mandan welcoming and walkable. Two awards are returning—one for winter decorating and one for sidewalk snow clearing. Winners will receive a traveling award and a feature on Made in Mandan social media.

Winter Decorating Award

Businesses and commercial property owners are encouraged to decorate building exteriors or indoor spaces visible from the outside. Decorations may be lit or unlit and should remain up through January. Nominations are open through Dec. 31, with public voting in January.

Golden Shovel Award

This award goes to the business voted best at keeping adjacent sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 1, 2026, with voting to follow.

Submit nominations at cityofmandan.com/winterawards. Finalists and voting details will be announced later this winter, with winners recognized by the Mandan City Commission in 2026.

Memorial Highway Winter Update

As winter settles in, the North Dakota Department of Transportation and Reede Construction are preparing the Memorial Highway project area for the seasonal pause. Crews will continue working into December as weather allows, but major construction will be on hold until spring. The roadway will remain open and safe for motorists, with a three-lane section maintained throughout the winter.

Before the shutdown, crews completed key work including south-side paving, temporary surfacing for north-side business accesses, and progress at the 40th, 43rd, and 46th Avenue intersections. Construction is expected to resume by April 15, 2026, with Phase 2 continuing through 2027.

Winter Maintenance

Because construction has created temporary extended approaches along the north side, NDDOT maintenance crews will provide additional snow removal this season. After overnight snow, approaches will be cleared by 8 a.m., with return visits as needed during the day. Smaller equipment—such as tractors, blowers, Bobcats, and loaders—will be used to work within the tight approach areas. Businesses are asked to keep entrances free of parked vehicles to help crews work efficiently.

Project updates will continue to be available at CityofMandan.com/mhp and dot.nd.gov/memorialhwy.

Gift Card Program Continues

Looking for a holiday gift that supports local businesses? The Memorial Highway Gift Card Program offers digital gift cards redeemable at participating corridor businesses. The City of Mandan adds a 25% bonus card with every purchase. Learn more at VisitMandan.com/memorial-highway.

In late May, the Mandan Progress Organization launched a Memorial Highway Gift Card Program, where individuals can purchase digital gift cards from local participating businesses directly at VisitMandan.com. Each card is delivered as a digital wallet file that appears on your phone just like a regular credit card. You can use the card to shop online or pay in person. As part of the program, the City of Mandan is contributing a 25% match that is automatically issued as a separate bonus card at no additional cost.

Never miss a local event, city update, or important alert again.

The new Mandan app brings our community closer—whether you’re

checking the calendar, reporting a concern, or supporting a local

fundraiser.

Download it today and explore what’s happening around you! Search

“City of Mandan” in the App Store or Google Play.

Snow Removal Reminders

City crews clean emergency routes first, followed by school zones, downtown areas, and residential streets. Please help by not parking on streets, keeping bins off roadways, and clearing sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfalls. Avoid pushing snow into streets.

Learn more at cityofmandan.com/snowremoval.

Residents can sign up to receive news and announcements via text message from the City of Mandan!

Messages may include information on garbage and recycling collection schedule changes, volunteer opportunities, office closures, etc.

Users may receive up to three messages per month and have the ability to opt-out at any time.