Light up the night
With these holiday light shows across West Virginia
Nov. 22, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caryn Gresham
304-558-2203, ext. 347
cgresham@wvcommerce.org
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- From national
acclaim to local fame, West Virginia’s holiday light shows offer residents
and visitors alike the opportunity to hop in the car, pop in a holiday CD
and find special cheer in the glittering lights of nighttime shows around
the state.
If you’re thinking about finding one close to you, stopping in to see one
on your way to a holiday event or want to set up a few evening trips around
the state, here’s a list that should get you started.
Note: Light shows are listed in the order of their opening dates.
*Oglebay Resort, Wheeling, offers visitors its Winter Festival of Lights from Nov. 8, 2006 through Jan. 7, 2007. For more than 20 years, this show has delighted visitors of all ages and is one of America’s largest holiday light shows. It features more than a million lights on 300 acres along a six-mile drive through the park. This year, the Good Zoo offers a new music and light extravaganza. An $8 donation per car is requested. Call 800-624-6988 or visit www.oglebay-resort.com.
*Christmas Fantasy Light Show, Krodel Park, Point Pleasant is open Nov. 17 through Dec. 31. The light show features animated displays from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Donations accepted at admission. Contact Mason County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 304-675-6788 or www.pointpleasantwv.org.
*Parkersburg City Park opens its Holiday in the Park lights display every night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 19, 2006, through Jan. 1, 2007. An array of animated and still holiday light displays are supported by local businesses and individuals. Admission cost is a per vehicle donation. Contact Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-752-4982 or www.greaterparkersburg.com.
*Winter Fest at Cedar Lakes Conference Center, Ripley, is open each evening from Nov. 20, 2006, to Jan. 4, 2007. Along with the nightly lights display, the Conference Center will host breakfasts with Santa and high school chorus cantatas. Contact Cedar Lakes at 304-372-7865 or www.cedarlakes.com
*Bluefield Holiday of Lights in the Lotito City Park is a dazzling lights display open from dusk to 11 p.m. nightly from Nov. 23, 2006, to Jan. 6, 2007. Not only can you drive through the display, the city park offers special evening walks and horse-drawn wagon rides. Donations per car are accepted. Contact Robin Lefler at 304-327-2448 or www.ci.bluefield.wv.us
*Fairmont Light up the Park from 6 to 9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from Nov. 24 to Dec. 23. Admission is $10 per car. Contact Robin at 304-366-4550.
*Summersville Christmas Lights in the Park will be open from Nov. 24 to Dec. 25 at the Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park. Contact 304-872-3552 or www.summersville.org.
*St. Albans Festival of Lights is open 6 to 9 p.m. from Nov. 25 to Dec. 23
and Dec. 26 and 27 at the St. Albans City Park. Bring the children for a visit
with Santa and hot chocolate and cookies. Monetary donations or canned good
donations are accepted. Contact Janet Painter at 304-727-5828 or www.stalbanswv.com
*Chief Logan State Park, Logan, offers a winter wonderland light display from dusk to 10 p.m. each evening from Nov. 29 to Dec. 31. Admission is free; donations are accepted. Contact 304-792-7125 or www.chieflogan@wvdnr.gov.
*Appalachian Coal Town Christmas and Light Festival, Beckley from 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2. Visit the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia for underground coal mine tours with light displays and festive tours of the Mountain Homestead. Enjoy a marshmallow roast, musical performances and a visit from Santa. For admission costs and additional information, contact Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine at 304-256-1747 or www.visitwv.com/festival.
*Hometown White Christmas, Webster Springs: From Dec. 1 to Dec. 31, the town is decorated with thousands of white lights and holiday decorations, courtesy of Webster Springs Main Street. No admission to drive through the town. Contact Webster Springs Main Street at 304-847-7666.
*Yuletide in the Park, Hurricane, is open Dec. 1 to 23. Sure to become a family favorite, this evening lights display includes animated displays, horse-drawn wagon rides, caroling, hayrides and Santa Claus. Donations are accepted for the lights display; there will be charge for the wagon rides. Contact Putnam County Visitors Bureau at 304-562-0518 or www.putnamcounty.org/tourism.
*Jackson’s Mill Winter Lights Celebration, Weston will be Dec. 8 and 9. Light tours begin at 5 p.m. On Friday, a buffet dinner is available and on Saturday a special children’s program will be offered at 5 p.m. at the Mountain State Building. Contact Marie Burleigh at 800-287-8206 or www.wvu.edu.
*Tomlinson Run State Park will light up its campground from dusk to 9 .m. on Dec. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17. The price of admission is $5 per car or $2 per person for a wagon ride through the light show. Call 304-564-3651 or e-mail tomlinsonrun@wvdnr.gov.
*First Night, Lewisburg, is celebrated Dec. 6 beginning at 6 p.m. at the New River Community and Technical College, Greenbrier County Campus Lawn on Church Street. This annual tree lighting celebration offers plenty of holiday spirit and music. Contact New River Community and Technical College at 304-645-2080.
*Christmas Light Show, West Virginia State Farm Museum, Point Pleasant is open Dec. 8 through Dec. 22. More than two million lights sparkle on buildings, trees and tractors from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every evening. Santa will be there to visit with the children and there is free hot chocolate and cookies for children as well. Donations accepted. Contact West Virginia State Farm Museum at 304-675-6788 or www.wvfarmmuseum.org.
*Little Beaver State Park, Beaver, will host a holiday lights display evenings from Dec. 15 to Dec. 31. Contact 304-763-2494 or www.littlebeaverstatepark.com
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West Virginia Division of Tourism • 90 MacCorkle Ave., SW • South Charleston, WV 25303
304-558-2200 or 1-800-CALL-WVA • FAX: 304-558-2459 • www.callwvanews.com