LAKE MILLS — Sometimes it’s the simplest of things that make a lasting memory.

For Katie Wuben, owner of MarketPlace on Mill Street, one of her favorite memories was driving around with her parents seeing all the Christmas lights and displays all over town.

She liked the idea of being able to share the same memory- making moments with her son, but said it’s just not the same as it used to be because not as many people put up lights these days. That’s when she got an idea to bring a lighted drive-thru Christmas display to Lake Mills.

“The goal was not only to provide this as a community event, but for it to benefit a local group or organization that needed our support,” Wuben said.

In this case, the local Girls Scouts and a 4-H group have stepped forward. They will collect donations from those who would like to see the display and will have refreshments and goodies available for purchase as well. All the donations collected that day will go to the group manning the lights display.

“It really came at the perfect time,” said Cassie Johnson, Lake Mills Chamber Development Corp. executive director. “We were wanting to revamp and re-energize the holiday festival in Lake Mills this year, and Katie’s vision and efforts have helped to do that.”

Wuben said putting up the displays was a lot of work for just one weekend, so she decided to keep the display going throughout the entire month of December.

Businesses have already signed up to create their own displays, and any organization, church or community group who would like to add to the display can do so by contacting Johnson at 641-592-5253.

According to Ona VanHeiden, troop leader for the Lake Mills and Northwood Girl Scouts, the display will be open 5:30 to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 4:30 to 7 p.m. Sundays at Fjelstad Sports Complex. Girls who cannot help man the event are helping to create decorations for it.

Since it’s a month-long event, those who have already driven through the display may find it has been added to by the next weekend.

The event’s lighting ceremony will be at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be at his workshop from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22.

Those who attend can stay warm and toasty in their vehicles or can brave the cold December air and walk around the displays.

With this being the inaugural year for the event, Wuben hopes it will be a success and that more businesses will want to be a part of it next year.

“If I have to be a part of it to keep it going, I’m ready to do that,” Wuben said.

For updates on the event, visit the Lake Mills Chamber Development Facebook page.