It’s about to get merry and bright in downtown Albert Lea.

The Spruce up Albert Lea for Christmas holiday lights campaign has raised enough money for the first two planned phases of decorations, and will have an event to celebrate the milestone.

The committee will “flip the switch” at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1 downtown. Major donors will be invited to attend, with the public welcome to view the lighting. There will be refreshments available as well as silent auction items to bid on. The event was initially slated for this weekend, but was pushed back to allow enough time for the last of the decorations to arrive and be put up.

The first phase of the campaign consists of lighted wreaths, red banners and garlands on the lampposts downtown, as well as lighted skyline garlands and wreaths that will stretch across the intersections where Broadway Avenue meets William Street and Clark Street, respectively. Donors who have given $250 or more will have their names on the banners downtown. The second phase is a 7-foot-tall animated water fountain surrounded by snowflakes for the splash pad area. Those two phases are what will be on display this season.

As of press time, $26,000 has been raised toward the total $75,000 goal, with planned commitments from a few community members equaling $9,000 being donated later this month for a total of $35,000 raised so far.

Fundraising will continue for the other two phases of the project, which are year-round lights for the gazebo in Fountain Lake Park and year-round accent lighting for downtown. According to holiday lights committee member Sarah Hensley, the year-round lighting would enhance such events as Wind Down Wednesday, Thursdays on Fountain and Halloween Spooktacular, among others.

“We’ve had great support from individuals, businesses and even through community grants,” Hensley said. “There are many wonderful causes that people are asked to donate to; we are thrilled to have completed the downtown lighting projects this year.”

Fundraising is still ongoing for the remainder of the campaign, which started in January, according to committee member Gail Levorson. The silent auction will conclude Dec. 18 at the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event at Robert Hoffman Realty, 212 S. Broadway Ave. In addition, there are Albert Lea and Fountain Lake-themed signs and pillows created by Homestead Design for sale at the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau or at www.homesteaddesignmn.com. Twenty-five percent of each purchase will be donated to the fundraiser. The Carter Christmas Lights Show also announced it will collect donations for the holiday lights campaign, both at the physical show at 1905 Brookside Drive and on the show’s website at www.carterxmas.com. Otherwise, donations can be made through the boxes near checkouts at area businesses and through the Chamber Foundation.

Levorson said the decorations will help make the downtown area a holiday destination.

“It’ll be an area where families will want to take their children downtown to see the lights,” she said.

Hensley said the committee has been looking forward to seeing the fundraising efforts come to fruition.

“Our community voiced their desire for a return to a traditional look for our downtown decorations. Our group worked hard to find designs that matched what was seen in historic photographs — some dating back as far as the early-1930s,” she said. “We are excited for everyone to see the lights on this holiday season — we hope you and your families and friends enjoy them this year and for years to come.”