Holiday Lights still sparkle at at Gring’s Mill Recreation Area
Olivia Ziegler squirmed in her father’s arms and protested, as any toddler would, with loud cries of indignation.
She did not want to be held.
Her older sisters were walking through the display of lights at Gring’s Mill Recreation Area in Spring Township, and Olivia, 1, wanted to walk, too.
The Ziegler family of Exeter Township, Doug and Alli, and their daughters, Brooke, 7; Quinn, 5; and Olivia, were among the first visitors to this year’s edition of Holiday Lights at the county park, 2083 Tulpehocken Road.
Though scaled back due to the coronavirus, the annual attraction offers the traditional walk-through exhibit on the grounds of the park.
“It is exciting to have something to do this season,” said Cathy Wegener,
county parks and recreation department director. “We want people to walk around and look at the lights.”
Most of the county parks programs have been on pause since the coronavirus reached Berks in March, she said. And up until a few weeks before the display’s opening, county parks staff didn’t expect to decorate the park this year.
“We were surprised when the county commissioners gave us the go-ahead,” she said, noting the event is a little different this year because of the pandemic.
Entertainment, children’s games and visits with Santa Claus have been eliminated, Wegener said. The train layout is still and silent, but lighted. It can be enjoyed by peeking through the windows of the old powerhouse. Visitors also can look through the barn’s upper windows at a new display inside.
Though the restrooms on the barn’s lower level are open, the snack bar is closed. Light refreshments
are available at Beansie’s Mobile Espresso Café.
On opening night Dec. 4, Wegener stood outside the barn, warming her hands with a cup of coffee from the food truck. Shielded by umbrellas, she and other parks staff discussed the turnout. Rain kept much
of the expected crowd at home, they agreed, but the visitors who defied the weather stopped to thank parks staff and offer positive comments.
The Ziegler family, too, huddled under umbrellas, sipping hot beverages as they made their way back
to the car after exploring the outdoor scenes.
“The bridge was my favorite,” Quinn said, referring to the strings of lights forming a series of arches over the bridge across the Tulpehocken Creek.
Her sister Brooke said she liked the one-horse
open sleigh with its driver in a wide-brim hat, all made from colored lights.
Olivia appeared fascinated by it all. After escaping her father’s arms, she pulled her hand from his and gleefully darted uphill through the wet grass toward a lighted tree. Her daddy acted quickly, and, in less than a minute, safely scooped her into his arms again.
Admission is free, and unlike previous years, there is no charge for parking. Visitors are asked to practice social distancing and required to wear a mask or other face covering as they walk through the park.
The display will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 4 until Dec. 20. There will also be special Christmas week viewing from Dec. 21 to 23.
For more information, contact the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department at 610-372-8939 or www.countyofberks. com/parks.