By Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull
Even as the glow the Halloween Jack o Lanterns dim and the sound of trick or treaters is fading away, the lights of Branson’s drive through Christmas lighting displays begin to light the way into the beginning of Ozarks Mountain Christmas. Although Kimberling City’s long running “Port of Lights” display is no longer in operation, the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB have expanded its Branson Area Festival of Lights Christmas drive through lighting display.
The Branson Area Festival of Lights is a 1.25 mile drive through that has been expanded from the 120 displays last year to over 175 lighting displays this year. A number of the displays are animated and are organized into themes such as “Cartoon Land,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas, “Peach on Earth,” etc.
For 2007, the Branson Area Festival of Lights has a new location and is not located in the Branson Hills area off of Bee Creek Road as it has been for the last few years. Its new location is on Expressway Lane off of the Shepherd of the Hills Expressway just opposite the new Sight and Sound Theatre. In addition, it should be noted that the Branson Area Festival of Lights is a one way drive through this year with its only entrance is located at the junction of Expressway Lane and Shepherd of the Hills Expressway just opposite the new Sight and Sound Theatre.
The hours of operation are daily Nov. 1 – Dec. 31 from 5:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:00 p.m. through 12:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The fees are as follows:
Admission Fees for 2007
Family Vehicles $10.00
Family Season Pass $15.00
Mini-Coaches (12-28 seats), Church Vans and Limos $25.00
Full-Size Motor coaches $50.00
In keeping with the sprit of the season and to help local charities provide Christmas for needy families in the Tri-Lakes region this Christmas, the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with two local charities Christian Action Ministries (CAM) and Love, Inc. On Tuesday and Wednesday night, anyone bringing a new toy of any value and paying the Family Vehicle Rate of $10, will be upgraded to a Family Season Pass at no additional charge.
In addition to the Branson Area Festival of Lights there is two other drive through Christmas lighting displays. The Trail of Lights, located at the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead on West Highway 76 just west of Branson and the Enchanted Forest sponsored by the Indian Point Chamber of Commerce. It is located near the end of Indian Point Road just past Silver Dollar City. The Enchanted Forest is free and is a convenient add on after a visit to Silver Dolar City for its “Old Time Christmas” celebration.
Furnished courtesy of the Branson Daily Independent. https://bransoncourier.com/view_article.php?news_ID=41
