Wonderland takes over Big Butler Fairgrounds
FRANKLIN TWP — Organizers say Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland will attract thousands of people eager to enjoy Christmas-themed music and lights.
The drive-though light show is offered at the Big Butler Fairgrounds on Route 422. Vehicles enter the show from the fairgrounds' Unionville Road entrance and drive through a 2.4 mile course that features hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights.
It is open nightly, including holidays, from 6 to 10 p.m. The show will continue through Jan. 3.
The first half of the show features lights synchronized to music, while the second half features animated displays in the theme of Santa's Beach Party.
Shannon Glover of Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland of Bristol, Tenn., said that there are two full-time employees from Tennessee on site for the show. It also has eight to 10 local people hired to help run the show.
The music is available by tuning a car radio to 88.7 FM, and the lights are synchronized to 12 songs, Glover said.
Most families that drive through take at least 30 minutes to enjoy the lights. They are allowed to stop and take photographs, but they cannot get out of their vehicles.
“We encourage people to take their time. There's enough room for two cars on the route so they can pull over and enjoy the show, and others can pass if needed,” he said.Glover said the company believes the show is a unique attraction for the region that people will enjoy.“We love doing it and the satisfaction that we get from seeing people come in and enjoy it. It's pretty awesome,” he said.The company operates its Christmas light shows all around the county. This year there are shows in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama.At some locations, up to 1,800 people drive though the route in a night.There is also a Santa's workshop area featuring concessions, a chance to meet Santa Claus, games and other entertainment.There is a cost to drive through. For information, visit shadrackchristmas.com.
