SIDNEY -- Cheyenne County Tourism Director Kendra Mitchell and volunteers have the second "All is Bright" indoor Christmas tour behind their belt and are already looking for 2025 to be even more exciting.

The concept started as a tour of Christmas lights and scenes, but inside, therefore avoiding much of the cold and potential weather of December. 

During today's Cheyenne County Commissioners meeting, Mitchell talked about the 2024 events and preliminary plans for this year. She started her presentation with a collage of photos from the All Is Bright nights.

"We did hire a professional photographer this year to get photos taken multiple nights of the event. So, we've got lots to use for our marketing efforts next year. We talked about this a few months ago, that we were going to apply for a marketing grant from with the State to get a little bit more reach across the state and into Colorado too, for next year's event.  

The 2024 tour started November 30, then December 6-7, 13-14, and 20-22. This year also included a "Sensory Night" when the lights were turned up and the volume down in respect of people with sensory challenges. This year's tour had several themes: Reindeer Games on November 30,  "Whoville" and the Grinch December 6-7, Sensory Night December 12, Team Red vs Team. Green December 13-14, and an Ugly Sweater Party December 20-22. 

Keep Sidney Beautiful also hosted a December Open Mic Night during one of the nights.

Mitchell showed that the clicker count at the door had a total of 3,538 visitors, an increase of 41 percent from 2023.

In other business, the commissioners reappointed Darrell Johnson as Commissioner chairman, and Phil Sanders as vice-chairman. The commissioners also approved the $1 per landline E911 surcharge, commissioner committees and approved a resolution authorizing the county treasurer to invest surplus funds in Cheyenne County banks in excess of amount insured under FDIC. The commissioners also an agreement with Travis Rodak for Deputy County Attorney services.

Attorney David Wilson, present at the commissioners meeting, said the first move should be to have Paul Schaub's name removed from the agreement and his inserted, allowing him to sign the contract as Acting Cheyenne County Attorney.  Schaub announced is resignation as County Attorney in the December 16 commissioners meeting. His last day as Cheyenne County Attorney was January 5. David Wilson was appointed as interim County Attorney until Deputy County Attorney Amber Horn returns from maternity leave January 17.