With the Thanksgiving holiday behind us, Christmas decorations are popping up around the Ozarks, from inflatable Santas to multi-colored lights strewn out over residential and commercial properties.
This weekend marks the seasonal debut of Candy Cane Lane, a 15,000-light display at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park. Supervisor Jenny Adams says although the weather has started to cool down, the park is still an option for family fun.
“We decided to do our Christmas light display because we are a mostly outdoor facility, and it gives people a chance to do a drive-thru light display and still get to come out and visit the park during the holidays.”
The Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park, now in its eighth year, changed its decoration plans three years ago to incorporate a drive-thru element. Roughly 100 cars visit the light display each night.
“It takes about three weeks to get it all put up, and it’ll take us another two weeks to get it taken down.”
Beginning tonight, the park will be open Friday and Saturday nights from 5 to 8 and continue through the weekend of the 19th. There is a $3 fee per vehicle.
Residential areas in Springfield are also lighting up the night include the Bagwell light display on East Cambridge Street. It’s open from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, with extended hours Friday and Saturday.
Other light displays include the new Ozark Mountain Christmas Lights and Village in Branson. The drive-thru show offers a “magical mile” of Christmas displays featuring rides on the North Pole Express, pictures with Santa, and a life-size nativity scene. Christmas lights in Branson also include the Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills and Branson’s Gift of Lights.
Additionally, the Springfield Convention and Visitor Bureau’s website has a list of holiday-themed attractions and events.