Holiday lights in downtown North Bend are staying up this year through the end of February after the city was asked to do so by various businesses.

A press release from the city states that after seeing the difference the holiday lights made in the historic corridor, the city was asked to keep them up even after the holidays ended. They will remain up until the end of February.

The North Bend Downtown Foundation funded an extra strand of lights to each tree located on the sidewalks between Ballarat Avenue and Bendigo Boulevard, which augmented the city’s normal display.

“We hope leaving the lights on will brighten up our town, and bring extra joy to residents, throughout the dark winter months,” North Bend Mayor Rob McFarland said in the press release.

The traditional light pole holiday snowflakes and garland will be removed in early January, but the white lights on sidewalk trees will remain. McFarland said the extended lighting may be continued in future years.