Holiday Lights Hunger Run/Walk

What's improved from 2022 and new in 2023?

We're dedicated to making the event a better experience each year and value feedback from participants and volunteers directly and through our post-event survey. We appreciate your patience as we continue to learn and adjust aspects of the event. If you would like to make any direct suggestions or comments, please email Lauren at lauren@sheboygancountyfb.com. 

IMPROVED:

• We're working hard to decrease shuttle bus wait times and making the event more easily accessible for all participants. For participants with strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs and/or participants who are carpooling, we highly recommending our Family-Friendly Drop-off Zone on the south side of the Quarryview Center parking lot. More details here.
• We're now adding more speakers each year to increase opportunities to hear Making Spirits Bright's music synchronized with light displays. Speakers are intermittently placed throughout the course. Because of the long length of the course, limited power outlets in Evergreen Park, and limited availability of rental equipment, it is difficult to have enough speakers for participants to hear music for the entire length of the course. Please consider downloading a radio app on your phone and tuning to 89.1 FM.

NEW:

• DJ Randy will be staging the ultimate photo booth with props and a holiday-themed backdrop that includes free text, email and print photos from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM for the after party inside 3 Sheeps' taproom.
• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to watch for social media giveaway announcements!
  • GIVEAWAY #1: Snap a photo of yourself in your holiday-themed outfit or costume at the event on November 18 and then enter our giveaway for a chance to win a $100 credit our 7th Annual Holiday Lights Hunger Run/Walk on November 16, 2024!

• • • One randomly chosen winner will receive $100 credit to use for registrations, apparel, and/or VIP parking passes for our next event on November 16, 2024. 
    • How to enter:
      1. Share a photo(s) of yourself in your holiday-themed outfit or costume at our 2023 event on an Instagram or
          a Facebook post.
      2. Tag @shebctyfoodbank in the post.
    • Giveaway details and rules: You must be 18 and older to enter. Entries will be accepted through 11:59 PM CST on November 26. The winner will be randomly chosen and sent a direct message on November 27. The winner must reply to our direct message within 48 hours of the announcement to claim the coupon code credit. Participants must fully release and hold Instagram/Meta harmless from liability. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram/Meta.

Is there a deadline for registration?

Registration for the 5K run and 1-mile walk (waves 1 and 2) will be available until the start times online and in-person at the Quarryview Center beginning at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 18. We will accept credit cards, cash, or check. Participants can create, join and edit Groups/Teams through Thursday, November 9 at 11:59 PM. Sponsor complimentary registrants can register through Thursday, November 9 at 11:59 PM. 

Day-of Event Registration Prices:

• 5K run registration is $35 per participant (available until 4:00 PM)
• 1-mile walk registration for either wave is $30 per participant (available until 6:00 PM)
• Children age 12 and under register for free

I registered under a Group/Team that now has 10+ members, but haven't received my $5 refund yet. When can I expect to receive my refund?

For a minimum of 10 registrants (ages 13 and older only), all registrants will receive $5 off. Registrants 1-9 will pay the normal event fee until 10 members have registered. Once the 10th member has registered, registrants 1-9 will be refunded $5. Refunds are processed about an hour after the threshold is met. However, it may take a few days for banks to process/release. Thank you for your patience.

Are there shirts or other items for sale?

Bundle up and show your support! Apparel items are available to purchase during the registration process through Wednesday, November 1. Travel mugs are available to purchase during the registration process through Saturday, November 18. Beginning at 1:00 PM on the day of the event, a limited quantity of all apparel items and travel mugs will also be available to buy inside the Quarryview Center. All sales directly support Sheboygan County Food Bank. 

What is packet pickup?

Packet pickup is where you will receive race bibs, pins, wristbands, purchased apparel and any other purchased items. You must pick up your packet before entering the event.

Where and when can I pick up my packet? 

Sponsor Complimentary Registrants and Group/Teams with 10+ Members
All sponsor complimentary registrants and Groups/Teams with 10+ members have the exclusive opportunity to pick up packets early at Sheboygan County Food Bank before the regular scheduled packet pickup times. These participants will receive an email the week of November 13 for early pickup details. Each participant who picks up early will be given a Sartori BellaVitano cheese wedge! If preferred, participants may also pick up packets at the two options (more information, including a map, here). Packets for Groups/Teams with 10+ members will be organized by Group/Team name. 

Groups/Teams (Nine Members or Less) and All Other Non-Group/Team Participants 
Packets for Groups/Teams with nine members or less WILL NOT be organized into Group/Team names and, instead, will be organized by each participants' last names. All other non-Group/Team participants will also be organized by participants' last names. Participants may go to either of the packet pickup options listed here. 

Participants who register by Thursday, November 16 at 11:59 PM may go to either of the packet pickup options listed here. Participants who register after this time may only pick up packets on the day of the event (November 18). 

IMPORTANT: Please download, print and complete this Packet Pickup Form before arriving to either of the packet pickup options below to help keep the packet pickup process as quick as possible.

Can I pick up other participant(s) packets?

Yes. Packets can be picked up on behalf of other registrants.

What do I need to do before arriving to the event?

• Register: Participants can register for either the 5K run or 1-mile walk (waves 1 and 2). Participants can create and/or join Groups/Teams during the registration process. Groups/Teams with 10+ members will receive a $5 discount. Keeping this a family-friendly event, all children age 12 and under register for FREE, and therefore, are not eligible to join a Group/Team to receive a discount. Register here.
• Wear race bibs and/or wrist bands for admission: Children 12 and under must wear their wristbands that they received at packet pickup. Participants age 13 and older must wear race bibs that they received at packet pickup.
• Dress for the occasion: We love to see your holiday-themed outfits and costumes – and your Holiday Lights Hunger Run/Walk apparel! If you're running the 5K, be sure to watch the weather forecast and wear appropriate clothing. As many of us know, staying warm during the winter months in Wisconsin means bundling up in layers, including, hats, mittens, and thick socks. If you need a safe place to put layers of clothing or other small personal items while you're on the course, please feel welcome to make a stop at our designated gear check near the finish line (on the way to the start line). Gear check will be available 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM and be supervised by volunteers.
• Pre-download a radio app: Standing speakers are intermittently placed throughout the course for participants to enjoy the synchronized lights and music. Please consider downloading a radio app on your phone before arriving and tuning to 89.1 FM.

Where and when should I park?

Please note that beginning at 3:00 PM on the day of the event there is NO PARKING at the Quarryview Center parking lot (closest parking lot to event) unless you are a volunteer or have purchased/reserved a parking pass in advance during online registration. There will be free offsite parking at parking lots within one mile of the event. Multiple shuttle buses will run from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM and continually service the offsite parking lots to transfer participants to and from Quarryview Center parking lot.

We suggest arriving to one of the offsite parking lot locations at least 30 minutes before your scheduled event start time. The walks are divided into two waves to safely limit crowds on the course and shuttle buses.

See more parking and shuttle service details, including a map, here.

Will I be able to hear Making Spirits Bright's holiday music on the course?

Standing speakers are intermittently placed throughout the course for participants to enjoy the synchronized lights and music. Please note that because of the long length of the course, limited power outlets in Evergreen Park, and limited availability of rental equipment, it is difficult to have enough speakers for participants to hear music for the entire length of the course. Please consider downloading a radio app on your phone and tuning to 89.1 FM.

Are dogs allowed on the course?

Leashed pets are welcome at the event and Evergreen Park. Please clean up after your pet. Furry friends are not allowed in the Quarryview Center.

Am I able bring a stroller or wagon on the shuttle buses and course?

Yes. We value this event as being family-friendly. Strollers and wagons are permitted for the 5K run and 1-mile walk with the condition of being aware of your surroundings. If you are running the 5K, we ask that you please begin towards the back of the start line and stay to the right along the course.

Please note that shuttle services from off-site parking to and from the event location will be on school buses. School buses can accommodate strollers and wagons, but there is limited space due to the vehicle's interior structure. We highly recommend using our Family-Friendly Drop-off Zone on the south side of the parking lot the Quarryview Center parking lot. Beginning at 3:00 PM, participants with strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs and/or participants who are carpooling are highly encouraged to use this. More Family-Friendly Drop-off Zone details, including a map, here.

Am I able to watch and cheer 5K runners along the course?

Yes. A designated 5K run spectator viewing area will be located near the finish line. We kindly ask that if spectators are planning to walk the course following the run, that they please register for one of the walk waves online, or on the day of the event inside the Quarryview Center beginning at 1:00 PM. Race bibs (ages 13 and older) and wristbands (ages 12 and under) provided to registered participants are required to enter the course.

For more details on the location of the spectator viewing area, check out our Course & Event Information and Interactive Google Event Map.

Can I take photos with displays along the course?

We're dedicated to making sure Making Spirits Bright's displays are protected from damage and that participants are safe. Participants are welcome to take photos along the course with displays in the background, but are not permitted to step off of the course pavement or touch displays. 

Will there be bathrooms available?

Portable toilets will be available outside of the Quarryview Center. The bathroom stalls inside of the Quarryview Center will also available.

Can I walk the course after I run the 5K? Do I need to be registered for the 1-mile walk too?

5K run participants who would like to more slowly enjoy walking either of the 1-mile walk waves DO NOT need to register for the 1-mile walk. Please note that the course closes for all participants at 7:00 PM and shuttle buses for each offsite parking lot make final pickups at the Quarryview Center parking lot at 7:30 PM.

Will there be food available to purchase?

Beginning at 5:00 PM at 3 Sheeps Brewing Company, volunteers will be selling a limited supply of pizza slices inside the taproom for $2 each (cash only) from Theo's Pizza and Catering. All proceeds support Sheboygan County Food Bank. From 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Harvest Street food truck will be parked outside of the taproom offering their New American street food.

3 Sheeps offers popcorn and other snacks inside their taproom, and has menus from local restaurants that deliver to their location. You're also welcome to bring in whatever food you would like or have food delivered. 

What happens if the event is cancelled? 

In the unfortunate circumstance that we would have to cancel this event due to unsafe weather conditions, participants and volunteers will be notified by 8:00 AM November 18 via the email that was used to register for this event. The same notification will be made on Sheboygan County Food Bank's Facebook page by 8:00 AM on November 18. Due to logistical constraints, a rain date will not be scheduled and our refund policy states that refunds will not be issued to participants.  Thank you for understanding.

I missed receiving my 5K run award. What is the next step?

If you finished the 5K run as a top male or female in your age category and missed receiving your award, awards will not be mailed, but they will be available for pickup 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Monday - Friday, at Sheboygan County Food Bank (3115 N. 21 St., Suite 1 in Sheboygan) until Friday, December 8. Please call 920-453-0169 ext. 101 if you have questions.