Take steps against hunger on the Saturday before Thanksgiving through Making Spirits Bright's iconic holiday lights show in Evergreen Park before it's open to the public for the season. All proceeds from this event support Sheboygan County Food Bank. In the first eight years of this event, over $630,000 has been raised thanks to the generous support of our community. This has helped us provide nutritious food to thousands of our neighbors over the years!
Highlights:
Keeping this a family-friendly event, ages 12 and under register for FREE for any of the walk waves.
Sheboygan County Food Bank is partnering with myTEAMTRIUMPH and Big Brothers Big Sisters WI Shoreline to offer free registrations for any athletes, angels, Littles and Bigs. If you're a part of one of these organizations and interested in attending, please reach out to your local contact for registration details.
Reserve this for one vehicle for an additional $50 during the registration. Upon arrival, participants will be greeted with hot chocolate and cookies, and receive one specially curated bag of Sheboygan County Food Bank swag, treats, and other local goodies! The $50 donation goes directly to support Sheboygan County Food Bank's work to serve local families facing hunger.
For the first time, we're partnering with Making Spirits Bright for an onsite food collection! Participants and volunteers who bring three food items to donate will be able to put in an entry to win a door prize. Learn more and see the listing of door prizes.
Parking and Shuttle Service Maps and Details
We count on the helping hands of over 150+ volunteers! Volunteers help with packet pickup, gear check, shuttle bus stops, water stations, the course, clean up, and more. All volunteers are welcome to enjoy the event before or after their shift. As a token of our appreciation, volunteers will receive cheese products generously donated by our friends at Sargento and Sartori as well as one 3 Sheeps Brewing free drink ticket (valid the day of the event only) generously provided by our event partner, 3 Sheeps Brewing.
Sponsorships for our 8th Annual Holiday Lights Hunger Run/Walk are available. Black Spring Foundation will generously be matching first-time sponsorships and incremental sponsorship increases from 2024 (i.e., if a sponsor gave $1,000 in 2024 and gives $2,500 in 2025, then $1,500 will be matched). Commitments are welcome after the August 29th deadline, but benefits are subject to change. Learn more and sign up to become a sponsor. Please feel welcome to email Lauren at lauren@sheboygancountyfoodbank.com with any questions.
We do not offer hard copy registration forms. If you need assistance with registration and/or if you prefer to pay with cash/check, we're happy to help you complete your online registration over-the-phone or in-person. Please connect with Erin or Katie by calling 920-453-0169 or visiting in-person at Sheboygan County Food Bank (3115 N. 21 Street in Sheboygan), Monday - Thursday, 9 AM - 3 PM.
Sheboygan County Food Bank distributes food through its core programs and in partnership with local food pantries and other organizations to make sure nutritious food reaches thousands of families, seniors, and children. Sponsorships, registration fees, VIP parking passes, purchased shirts and other gear, and donations for this event directly support Sheboygan County Food Bank's work to make sure food gets into the hands of our neighbors in need.
Since 2012, Sheboygan County Rotary Clubs have been coordinating Making Spirits Bright, which is Sheboygan County Food Bank’s largest annual food drive. Admission to the park is free of charge, but donating nutritious food items is highly encouraged. Visitors have the chance to enjoy visits with Santa, wreath raffles, entertainment and concessions across the street at Santa's Station (Quarryview Center).
Making Spirits Bright is open every night, November 28 – December 31, from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (closed on Dec. 24). Over 1.2 MILLION pounds of donations have been collected since the event started!
Making Spirits Bright generously offers their venue for the Holiday Lights Hunger Run/Walk – Sheboygan County Food Bank's second biggest fundraiser and only event each year. Learn more about the special partnership.
Nov 21, 2026
Distance — 5K
Type — Running
16:00
$25.00
Nov 21, 2026
Distance — 1 Miles
Type — Running
17:00
$20.00
Nov 21, 2026
Distance — 1 Miles
Type — Running
17:30
$20.00
Nov 21, 2026
Distance — 1 Miles
Type — Running
18:00
$20.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for November in Sheboygan.
Learn more about the host city, Sheboygan.
Sheboygan, the largest city in Sheboygan county at just over 50,000 residents, lies on the shores of Lake Michigan about 60 miles north of Milwaukee, in east-central Wisconsin. Formerly a busy trading and fishing port, Sheboygan grew through shipping and industry, and was a major center of German immigration to the area. While shipping on the Great Lakes has seen a major decline and the commercial fisheries has declined to 4 commercial fishing companies operating out of Sheboygan. Sheboygan remains a prospering industrial town, and continues its immigrant heritage to this day, with vibrant Hispanic and Hmong communities adding their influences to the cultural landscape. The "spirit on the lake" is the municipal jingle. The translation of the Native American name -she wa bo going means "water rushing underground" and is thought to refer to a rushing noise present at the North Point rock outcroppings. is also becoming a tourist destination thanks to several farsighted development initiatives, particularly along the scenic riverfront and lakefront.
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location_on Sheboygan, Wisconsin, US
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