People all over the world show their Christmas spirit with festive light displays. Thomas Edison started the tradition of Christmas light displays in 1880. Edison was so proud of his light bulb invention, he strung them together and hung them proudly from his Menlo Park laboratory compound.
Photos courtesy of edisonawards.com
Christmas in the South may not always be snowy and white, but Southerners are just as proud to celebrate the season with lights and all things magical. See the list below for information on displays and festivities, in and around the area, to enjoy this holiday season.
Photo of Federal Post Office, Downtown Texarkana. Courtesy of Arkansas.com
– Texarkana, Texas – The owners of the home at 4904 Lesley Lane, bring joy to the community with their animated light display. The display is set to music which can be played from the comfort of your vehicle.
– Texarkana, Texas – The residents of the culdesac on Spotswood in Pleasant Grove, located beside Williams Memorial Methodist Church, spell out “We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas,” in lit signs. In fact, the tradition is so important to the residents, they even leave behind their signs, if they sell their home, so that the tradition may continue.
– Texarkana, Texas – First Assembly of God Church, located at 3401 W. 7th Street will host their annual drive-thru, live Nativity Scene. There will be over 100 people in costume, bringing the story of Jesus’ birth to life! When you enter the parking lot, you will be able to tune in to a specialized radio broadcast and be greeted with hot chocolate and candy canes. There will be live animals; sheep, cows, mules, goats, camels, and more. This event is open to the public and FREE for everyone. The event will take place on Friday, December 8, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. And again on Saturday, December 9, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. See video link below to see a recap of the 2014 Live Nativity. Video provided by Matt Cornelius, YouTube.com.
– Ashdown, Arkansas – The K.C.S. Railroad’s Holiday Express will make its stop in Ashdown, on December 6, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The train will be stopped at Main St. and Hwy 71. The Holiday Express is a six-car train, carrying Santa and his Elves. The train has a flatcar carrying Santa’s sleigh, a smiling tank car named Rudy, reindeer and a miniature village, a gingerbread boxcar, the elves’ workshop, a reindeer stable, and a little red caboose.
Photo courtesy of TexarkanaFYI
– Shreveport/Bossier Lousiana Boardwalk – A blizzard is forecast to occur every night at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as well as 12:30 p.m. on weekends. While at the Boardwalk, please be sure to visit Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop. In Santa’s Wonderland, kids get free digital pics with Santa and can make the Bass Pro craft of the week for free. This place is magical for children old and young.
Photo courtesy of Louisiana Boardwalk
Photo courtesy of Louisiana Boardwalk
– Tyler, Texas – Santa Land is a 24-acre drive-thru Christmas Park with over two million lights, Christmas music, a 250-foot long tunnel of lights with 12-foot Toy Soldiers, themed areas, a gift shop, and snack bar. Santa Land is located at 11455 I-20 West Tyler, Texas. Information and pricing listed below.
Photo courtesy of SantaLand Facebook Page
Video courtesy of YouTube.com
– Marshall, Texas – Enjoy the Wonderland of Lights Festival in downtown Marshall, Texas this season. The festival includes an outdoor ice skating rink, rides on the Holly Trolly, Wonderland Express and the vintage 1948 Herschel carousel. Visit the brand new Santa’s Village for cookies, train building, and pictures. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride on one of three carriages through Historic Downtown Marshall, then listen to live music at Telegraph Park downtown performed by local musicians, area churches and school choirs. Visit https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/wonderlandoflights/items/?full-items=yes for prices on the various attractions. And don’t forget to pay a visit to Central Perk Coffee House and warm up with a cup of gourmet coffee or hot chocolate.
Photo courtesy of Marshalltexas.net
Photo courtesy of Marshalltexas.net
The Harrison County Courthouse in downtown Marshall on Wednesday, December 21, 2011. (Michael Cavazos/News-Journal Photo)
– The Louisiana/Texas Holiday Trail of Lights – The Holiday Trail of Lights includes multiple cities in both Louisiana and Texas. You can visit one leg of the trail or all of them. All cities on the trail are connected by I-20 and I-49. The two legs of the trail, nearest to Texarkana, are Jefferson, Texas and Shreveport/Bossier, Louisiana. Check out the video below for more details on the Holiday Trail of Lights.
Paying a visit to any of the Christmas displays listed above is sure to brighten your Christmas. Be sure to check Facebook Events for more on local holiday events. Have a safe and Merry Christmas from the staff at Eagle Eye Media.