Winter Wonderland’s reflections on Christmas light up Batesville
BATESVILLE — Christmas light displays have gotten bigger and better over the years throughout Arkansas, and one might think larger cities would provide more of a show, but Batesville is giving those bigger towns a run for their money.
With more than a million lights on display, it’s no wonder the city has trademarked Batesville as the Christmas Capital of Arkansas.
According to Batesville City Council member Thomas Bryant, the idea came to him one day during a meeting with city officials.
“The lights have been so successful throughout the years,” Bryant said. “We tend to amuse ourselves and say that we should be the Christmas Capital of Arkansas, and I said we should just trademark the term so no one else would be able to use it. Everyone agreed it was worth pursuing.”
Bryant took his idea to Batesville Chamber of Commerce President Crystal Johnson and her crew to make sure the title wasn’t taken, and from there, Batesville was officially named the Christmas Capital of Arkansas.
It’s easy to see why the name is perfect for the city: As one crosses over the White River bridge, the display of lights reflecting off the water is nothing short of magical, Bryant said.
As for the display itself, the city of Batesville’s landscaping supervisor, Johnathan Abbott, and his crew are the ones to thank for the magic.
“When we started this, I met with Mayor Rick Elumbaugh to discuss what I would be able to do,” Abbott said. “I asked him how much I could put on display, and the mayor told me that I could go as big as I wanted. So I plan on doing that until he tells me to stop.”
Abbott has stood by his word and continued to add more lights each year.
“In 2019, we added about 90 new displays,” Abbott said. “We have also been able to include 2,000 feet of rope lights that illuminate walking trails throughout the different light displays. Arkansas weather is unpredictable, and we have some warm nights when people like to get out and walk, take pictures and really get immersed in the lights. [The rope lights also help] to keep them going in the right direction throughout the area.”
Elumbaugh pinned Abbott as the “mastermind and designer of the light display since the very beginning.”
This is the 13th year for the Winter Wonderland, and Elumbaugh said that if he could clone Abbott, he would, in a heartbeat.
“From working 80 hours a week to programming the lights, Abbott is always there,” Elumbaugh said. “His crew is right beside him and very supportive in their efforts to meet deadlines.”
Inspiration for the lights came to Abbott and his wife as they traveled throughout the state
each year to see what kinds of displays other cities were creating.
“We took trips to Hot Springs to see [Garvan Woodland Gardens] in the past,” Abbott said. “It’s always nice to see other places and incorporate in our own way what inspired us from their display of lights.”
Winter Wonderland is always a fun time for local residents, but Elumbaugh said the city is seeing quite a high number of tourists each year as well.
“Last year, over 63,000 cars drove through the lights,” Elumbaugh said. “There was an estimated 250,000 people who came to visit, eat at our restaurants and shop in our stores because of the Christmas light display.” Elumbaugh said major food chains sometimes contact him to find out the dates for Winter Wonderland, and those restaurants will triple their supplies during the weeks that the display is up and running.
“Each year, we are seeing more and more out of town people visit during the holiday season,” Elumbaugh said. “They are not just driving through the lights. They are staying in our hotels, eating at our restaurants and shopping on Historic Main Street.”
Main Street Batesville has adapted “An Old-Fashioned Christmas” as the city’s theme for the past several years, and Adam Cartwright, co-owner of the Melba Theater, said Batesville has that small-town Hallmark feel to it when Christmas comes to town.
“Main Street Batesville comes to life during the holidays,” Cartwright said before the Melba’s recent free showing of “The Polar Express.” “It feels like stepping into a Hallmark movie this time of year, and the town really knows how to embrace that feeling with visitors as well.” Each year, the Melba plays classic films such as “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “The Polar Express” for free as part of A Very Melba Christmas at the theater.
“When the movies are over,” Cartwright said, “everyone loves to take their pictures in front of Cousin Eddie’s infamous RV that’s parked right out in front of the theater,” Cousin Eddie is a character from the 1989 film “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
Throughout the holiday season, Batesville offers carriage rides through the light displays, ice skating with the skaters overlooking the White River, White River Express train rides and selfies with Santa.