For Immediate Release Media Contact: Pam Jones or Marjorie Beenders
November 13, 2009 Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: pam@tbmg.net
Drive-Through Light Parks Dazzle Holiday Visitors
at Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks
Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. –Four dazzling drive-through light parks are set to sparkle for visitors who come to the Lake of the Ozarks during the holiday season: the Lake Holiday Light Park in Osage Beach, the Enchanted Village of Lights and the Festival of Lights at the Shrine of St. Patrick in Laurie, and the Versailles Light Park.
The mile-long Lake Holiday Light Park in the Osage Beach City Park on Highway 54 will be open daily Nov. 21-Jan. 2, weekdays from 5:30-9:00 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30-10:00 p.m.
The cost will be $10 per car; save $2 per car with an online coupon available at www.lakeholidaylights.com, at sponsors’ locations and Willmore Lodge, and in local publications.
“The holiday season is a wonderful time to visit the Lake of the Ozarks. Families love the Lake Holiday Light Park and other seasonal attractions, plus the great shopping and dining and variety of lodging,” says Michelle Cook, marketing director of the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. “We expect more than 10,000 visitors through the light park. Many of them will stay a night or two to enjoy all the holiday festivities.”
With more than 80 giant animated displays, the Lake Holiday Light Park is the biggest and brightest light park at the Lake, including charming animated scenes and spectacular lighted tunnels. Displays will feature leaping reindeer, trumpeting angels, Santa on a wave runner, dancing penguins, Rudolph and Santa fishing, Candy Cane Lane, America tributes and many more.
Santa will stop by the park at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, 12 and 19. Kids can have their photos taken with him and tell him what they want for Christmas. The concession area of the park will be converted into Candy cane Lane, where visitors will find Santa along with some surprises! In addition, visitors can tune in the park’s holiday music on 98.3-FM as they drive along.
Cook adds several Lake-area lodging properties will include Holiday Light Park tickets in specially priced packages. “Enjoy fabulous holiday shopping, then tour the light park after dark, and you’ll still have time for the Main Street Music Hall’s holiday show or a holiday cruise on the Celebration yacht. Then spend the night at a resort, hotel, motel, vacation condo or home for a holiday getaway you won’t forget.” Cook adds, “The Lake also is perfect for girlfriend getaways, including the light park, spa and shopping, before the hectic holiday season starts.”
Other Area Light Parks
The 17th annual Enchanted Village of Lights in Laurie’s Hillbilly Fairgrounds off Highway 5 features more than 200 displays, including lighted and animated Christmas scenes and decorated trees, located throughout the 27-acre park. “It takes about 30 minutes to see everything along the mile-long drive,” says Susann Huff, coordinator of parks and events for the city of Laurie. The Village will be open Nov. 21-Jan. 1 from 5:00-9:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 5:00-10:00 p.m., Friday, Saturday and holidays. Admission will be free, however, donations will be accepted. Last year more than 2,000 cars and 7,000 visitors passed through.
Huff notes this year the Village “going green,” starting the transition to energy-saving LED lights. Several older displays have been refurbished and new displays have been added. Santa drops by from time to time too, Huff says. “If you’ve never seen the Enchanted Village of Lights, it’s well worth a trip from anywhere to come see it,” she adds. “Every year when we turn it on, it is absolutely awe-inspiring.”
Before or after visiting the Enchanted Village of Lights, most visitors also make it a point to drive the short distance to the nearby St. Patrick's Festival of Lights, also in Laurie, which will celebrate 28 years this season. This beautiful display, lit by more than 4,000 strings of lights, encompasses the grounds of both St. Patrick’s Shrine and the National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church. Hours will be open 6:00-10:00 p.m., Nov. 26-Jan. 1. Admission will be free.
“Instead of animated displays, our light park focuses on the serenity and beauty of Christmas. We want people to think about the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus and His Mother,” says Shrine Marketing Director Rose Vanderbeck. ”With our carillon bells playing Christmas carols in the background, it’s just a wonderful and meaningful experience.”
The Versailles Light Park will light up the city park, located at the junction of Highways 5 and 52, as it has for more than 20 years, from Nov. 29-Jan. 1. The short but enjoyable drive will feature charming lighted displays and will remain open all night. There will be no admission fee. “It’s very nice for a town of our size,” says Linda Pohl, secretary to the Mayor of Versailles and City Water Clerk.
More Holiday Events
Now through the end of the year, the Lake of the Ozarks will be a wonderland of fun, family-friendly holiday events. Kids can enjoy Breakfast with Santa at The Lodge of Four Seasons, Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and 12. “The Nutcracker” will be performed at STEPS Dance Studio in Kaiser, Nov. 28-29, and the Royal Theatre in Versailles, Dec. 11. Relevé Dance Academy will present a holiday program, “Joy To The World,” featuring tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop and other dance styles, Dec. 19-20 at Osage High School.
Colorful Christmas parades will take place Nov. 28 in Laurie, Dec. 5 in Camdenton and Dec. 12 at the Bagnell Dam Strip. Visitors also will enjoy choral and orchestral concerts, and gala New Year’s Eve celebrations. In addition, the Main Street Music Hall will celebrate the holidays with a seasonal musical review, Nov. 14, 20-21; Dec. 1-5, 8-12, 15-19.
For more details about holiday events, lodging, dining, shopping and attractions at the Lake of the Ozarks, please call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) FUN-LAKE or visit www.funlake.com.
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