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A list of local favorites open on Thanksgiving, Christmas...
Even if you've been completely soured on the commercialization, the crowds and the violent hemorraging of money around the holidays, you've got to admit -- the lights are pretty darn cool. The Ozarks have no shortage of brilliant Christmas light displays that may help you recapture what it's about this time of year that is so magical to so many, or that may provide you with the ultimate holiday date option. So make like a Griswold and get on out there with hat, scarf and thermos of (spiked?) hot cocoa in tow! Here's a list of some of the light displays you can expect to see this season:
Festival of Lights Springfield daily through Dec. 31, downtown Springfield on Park Cental Square and Jordan Valley Park, 635 E. Trafficway. This year's festival includes the lighting of the Mayor's Christmas tree on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. followed by free public skating at Mediacom Ice Park 7 to 8 p.m. The Christmas Lights at Cornerstone event will also join the Festival of Lights this year. Features a 30-foot tree and thousands of twinkling lights. Free. Call 864-1010.
Ozark Festival of the Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Jan. 10, at Finley River Park. Includes 230 lighting displays, with 80,000 lights on a holiday theme and new additions for 2009. Donations accepted.
The sixth annual Christmas on the Frisco, featuring more than 30 displays, runs from dusk to midnight daily through Jan. 3 at the Willard trailhead of the Ozark Greenways Frisco Highline Trail near 106 E. Jackson St. Visitors can drive by to see the displays or walk along the trail. Free, but donations are accepted. Call 864-2015.
The Light the Park Christmas Display at Dunnegan Memorial Park, Business 13 and Missouri 83, Bolivar. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 30 (including Christmas Day). It features more than 35 still and animated displays, lighted snowflakes and an expanded arch of lights. Admission is free, but donations are accepted at the entrance to benefit local charities. Call 326-4118.
The Trail of Lights display at Shepherd of the Hills, 5586 W. Missouri 76, Branson, is open from dusk to midnight daily through Dec. 31. Features lights, music and animated scenes. Displays include 3-D animations and themed portions of the trail of lights. Admission is $10 for adults. Call 334-4191 or 800-653-6288.
Enchanted Forest, an animated drive-through display, is open from 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5:30 p.m.-midnight Friday-Sunday through Dec. 31 at the Corps of Engineers’ campground on Indian Point Road, 3 miles south of Silver Dollar City. A lighted tunnel and numerous animated displays including the Freedom Tree are featured. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Call 338-2772.
The Enchanted Village of Lights drive through display at the Shrine of St. Patrick’s Church, just north of Laurie on Highway 5, features various lighted displays. The display is open from 6 to 10:30 p.m. through Jan. 1. Admission is free. Call 573-374-8776.
The Monett Festival of Lights, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 28 in Monett City Park, U.S. 60 and Missouri 37. Featuring more than 30 animated light displays with 4 new displays this year. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Call 235-7919.
Silver Dollar City's An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City in Branson, through Dec. 31. More than four million lights will be displayed, including a five-story special effects Christmas tree. Admission is $52.66 for adults, reduced admission prices for children. Call 800-431-4FUN or visit bransonsilverdollarcity.com
