Christmases will be brighter than ever in downtown Iola.
City Council members agreed Monday to purchase additional winter decorations to adorn light poles along U.S. 54 and North State Street.
A total of 59 fixtures were purchased from Mainstreet Designs, Inc. of Champlin, Minn, for $36,660. The Mainstreet bid was the lowest of three.
The city will spend an additional $10,000 or so for shipping and to equip the other light poles for the new displays.
The additional decorations will mean light poles along North State will be decorated from Miller Road to U.S. 54, and from U.S. 54 from State Street to the eastern city limits.
The new lights — featuring candy canes, toy soldiers, angels, Christmas trees and snowmen — are identical to the ones purchased two years ago, City Clerk Roxanne Hutton noted.
The city had budgeted up to $90,000 this year for additional Christmas lights.
