Festival of Lights draws in 25,000+
The lights have officially been turned off for the year and the 23rd Festival of Lights season has concluded, after drawing in 25,717 visitors.
“This year went very well and really, we didn’t experience any major issues,” Vicki Stewart, with the Comanche Trail Festival of Lights, said. “We had great support from the community and our volunteers.”
Over the 17 days the lights were on, there were a total of 195 greeters signed up. Each night there were between 614 visitors passing through up to Christmas Eve night, which brought 2,510 visitors.
“I believe the Greeters are incredibly important to the integrity of our event, each and every one of our visitors is welcomed in to the Festival with a smile and a ‘Merry Christmas,’ Hayley Herrera, CVB Director of Community Services and Volunteer coordinator for Festival of Lights, said. “Visitors are offered a brochure to explain about the Festival, and they help us get an accurate head count on the amount of visitors we see.”
While those who traveled through the two miles of lighted trail, were able to experience Christmas magic through the lighted displays placed by local businesses, organizations, churches and
families, there were special visitors that made an appearance for a few of those nights.
“We had Santa and Mrs. Claus stop by opening night to greet the visitors coming through and then they returned for four nights, allowing time for the kids and their families to visit and take photos,” Vicki Stewart said. “Santa and Mrs. Claus are one of our dedicated volunteers who return each year and offer their time up at no charge. In recognition of their support for the Festival of Lights, we do make a donation to the Big Spring State Hospital.”
On any given night, visitors were able to meet Big Spring residents who enjoy investing into their community and see first hand the big heart that makes up our town. According to numbers provided by Vicki and Howard Stewart, visitors came from 40 states, eight countries and 33 different cities in Texas.
“I think the Festival (of Lights) would lack something, if we didn't have our cheerful greeters welcoming everyone into Festival of Lights,”herrera siad. “Speaking from personal experience, being a greeter myself for several years … it puts you in a better mood and in the Christmas spirit to stand out there surround by beautiful lights, and seeing the awe on kids' faces as they take in the lights.”
Vicki Stewart added, “Our greeters this year had a lot of fun. You could tell they were in the holiday spirit, when they arrived with candy canes, lighted necklaces, dressed up in Christmas attire and so much more. They brought Christmas cheer with them; there were even some that had so much fun, they didn't want to leave.”
According to the information provided, the furthest visitor this year came from England. Even with the Drive Through Nativity taking place in town, the attendance this year remained steady compared to other years. The weather even held up rather nicely, for the greeters who braved the nightly tasks.
While this year has wrapped up and the lights are being packed away, it is never too early to begin planning for the 24th season of Festival of Lights.
“We already have some plans that we would like to put into place that weren't able to be completed in time for this season,” Howard Stewart with the Festival of Lights said. “We would like to add a lighted drive through arch like we have on the walking trail and of course, add a few more hundred yards to the display.”
Howard Stewart mentioned each year the trail grows a little bit longer, with this year adding a couple hundred yards. The goal is to get the trail extended to the edge of the park near KBYG'S building. The expansion of the lights and maintenance of the trail is supported through the donations received each year.
“While this is a free event – Big Spring's gift to the community and surrounding area – the donations are very much appreciated and help ensure we are able to continue this tradition that was started by Pat Simmons,” Howard Stewart said. “The goal is to eventually move to all LED lights, which would allow for a brighter trail and make the displays more durable when moving them each year.”
The Festival of Lights was the vision of Pat Simmons that was brought to fruition more than 20 years ago, but is able to continue each year through the support of the community and a dedicated group who have taken on pieces of the event to ensure the gift continues to be provided each year.
“This is not a one or two man job; honestly, it's a community project,” Howard Stewart said. “Pat had the idea and through the support of so many donors, from the City of Big Spring Parks Department to Jim Depauw, Brandon Ensy, Dixie Electric and the county inmates and FCI trustees, thousands of visitors get to see one of the many reasons Big Spring is a wonderful place to be.”
For those wanting to get involved for next year, there are a few key dates to go ahead and mark on the calendar; those wanting to get a Christmas card greeting added for the 2020 season, will need to contact Vicki Stewart by Nov. 1, 2020. Those wanting to Adopt a Spot will also need to contact Vicki by Nov. 15 and get on the list, to allow for time to be accounted for. Planning and volunteer registration will take place between July 2020 and November 2020. To sign up to be on the greeter list, contact Hayley Herrera around October 2020, to reserve your spot, at 432-264-2516.