For Immediate Release             Media Contact:  Pam Jones or Marjorie Beenders
November 1, 2010                                                               Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: pam@tbwgroup.net

Holiday Light Parks Brighten The Season
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 Shrine of St. Patrick’s Festival of Lights in Laurie, and the Versailles Light Park.  In addition to light parks, Lake-area visitors will enjoy a wide array of holiday attractions and events.

“The Tri-County Lodging Association is thrilled to sponsor the Lake Holiday Light Park again in 2010!” says Jim Divincen, executive director of the Tri-County Lodging Association.  “The Lake Holiday Light Park committee devotes a tremendous amount of time to plan and develop this wonderful event. And seeing the expressions on the children’s faces when their families drive into the park makes it all worthwhile.”

With more than 80 animated displays from two to 40 feet tall, the Lake Holiday Light Park is the biggest and brightest light park at the Lake.  Visitors will be delighted by the animated scenes, spectacular lighted tunnels and displays featuring leaping reindeer, trumpeting angels, dancing penguins, Rudolph, Santa, Candy Cane Lane, tributes to America and more.  The mile-long light-park, located in the Osage Beach City Park on Highway 54, will be open Nov. 19-Jan. 1; Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 5-9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 5-10 p.m.  The cost will be $10 per car, and visitors can save $2 per car with an online coupon available at www.lakeholidaylights.com, at sponsors’ locations, Willmore Lodge, and in local publications. 

“Santa and The Grinch will make frequent appearances at the light park, and you can listen to holiday music on 98.3-FM as you drive through the park,” says Michelle Cook, marketing director of the Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.

Cook adds, “Every year an increasing number of visitors drive through the Lake Holiday Light Park and this year we expect more than 10,000 people.”  She notes several Lake-area lodging properties will offer specially priced holiday packages that will include Lake Holiday Light Park tickets.  “A lot of families come to the Lake to enjoy a great variety of holiday shopping, then tour the light park after dark, and catch the holiday show at the Main Street Music Hall.  Then they spend the night at a Lake-area resort, hotel or motel, or vacation condo or home.  It adds up to a memorable holiday getaway!” Cook says.  In addition, she says, “A lot of ladies plan girlfriend getaways to the Lake before the hectic holiday season starts.  They do their holiday shopping at the 110-store Osage Beach Premium Outlets and other area malls and specialty stores, and relax at a resort or day spa, as well as enjoying the Lake Holiday Light Park.”

Other Area Light Parks

On the west side of the Lake of the Ozarks, the 17th annual Enchanted Village of Lights in Laurie’s 27-acre Hillbilly Fairgrounds off Highway 5 will dazzle visitors with more than 200 displays, such as lighted and animated Christmas scenes and decorated trees.  The village will be open Nov. 20-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.

Susann Huff, events coordinator for the City of Laurie, says it takes about 30 minutes to drive through the mile-long light park.  “Last year we had a wonderful year.  More than 2,700 vehicles and 8,854 people came through our beautiful drive-through lighted park--the highest number on record since we started the display,” she says.  “People come from all over the region to see it.  It truly is worth a trip to Laurie.”
           
Less than a mile away from the Enchanted Village of Lights in Laurie (in fact, most people visit both on the same evening) is the Shrine of St. Patrick's Festival of Lights, now in its 29th  year.  With more than 4,000 strings of lights, shining and twinkling on the grounds of both St. Patrick’s Shrine and the National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church, the St. Patrick’s Festival of Lights truly is an awe-inspiring display.  Hours will be open 6:00-10:00 p.m., Nov. 25-Jan. 1.  Admission will be free. 

“When Father Fred Barnett created the Festival of Lights in 1981, there were no displays in the area. Today, his gift to the community has grown into a breathtaking light display and we add more lights each year,” says Shrine Marketing Director Rose Vanderbeck.  “However, our light park focuses on the serenity and beauty of Christmas and we hope everyone has an enjoyable and meaningful experience here.”  More than 7,000 visitors viewed the display last year.

The Versailles Light Park in the Versailles City Park has been a west-side tradition for more than 20 years.  Located at the junction of Highways 5 and 52, the light park will be open from Nov. 12-Jan. 1 and feature up to 40 lighted displays including several animated holiday scenes of Santa and other holiday favorites.  Admission will be free.  “We plan to light up the park in conjunction with our annual Holiday Open House kickoff in downtown Versailles on Friday, Nov. 12 at dusk,” says Mayor Terry Silvey.  “Many merchants will stay open late, so we invite everyone to come shop and then drive through the light park nearby!”  Carriage rides, holiday music and other seasonal fun also will be offered, he adds.

Other Holiday Events

In addition to drive-through light parks, the Lake of the Ozarks will offer numerous other holiday attractions and events that will appeal to kids from age 1 to 101.  Here are some highlights:
 

• The Camden County Museum in Linn Creek will present its annual Festival of Trees and Wreaths, with donated decorated trees and wreaths on display and available through a silent auction, Nov 12 through Dec. 20.  Get a jump on holiday shopping at its annual Christmas Market Place, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Nov. 12-13, featuring crafts booths and vendors offering charming, one-of-a-kind Christmas crafts and gifts.

• The Main Street Music Hall in Osage Beach will celebrate the holidays with an entertaining and memorable  seasonal musical review the whole family will enjoy, Nov. 17 through Dec. 19.  Shows will start at 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday.  Now in its 15th season, the Main Street Music Hall features a talented cast who will present two hours of holiday music old and new, plus hilarious comedy and impressive impersonations—so don’t be surprised if Stevie Wonder, Reba McIntire and other stars stop by, along with Santa Claus and The Grinch.  The costumes and stage sets are must-sees.  Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors age 55-plus, $8 for children age 5-12, and free for children 4 and under.  For information please call (573) 348-9501 or visit www.lakemusichall.com.    

• The 9th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” will wind its way north on Highway 5 from Central Bank of Laurie to Laurie Terrace Mall, at 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 27.  Following the colorful parade, kids can have their pictures taken with Santa at the Mall.

• Kids will enjoy Breakfast with Santa at The Lodge of Four Seasons, 11-9 a.m., on Saturday, Nov. 27, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11.  Enjoy a bountiful buffet breakfast plus gifts, games and pictures with Santa.  $14.95 for adults (plus tax and gratuities), $6.95 for kids 6-12, free for kids age 5 and under.  Reservations are required; call 888-265-5500.

• Christmas on the Square, 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4 in Camdenton, will feature holiday music, delicious food, a petting zoo, a live appearance by Santa himself and much more family fun.

• The Bagnell Dam Holiday Parade will start at Denny’s on Business Highway 54 at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11.  The crowds line both sides of Historic Bagnell Dam Boulevard to see Santa lead this lively parade of 40-plus floats and bands. bands.  After the parade, Santa will greet visitors at the circa-1932 White House on the Bagnell Dam Strip.  The first 500 children will receive a stocking filled with holiday treats. 

For details about all of these festive events and other seasonal activities, as well as information about upcoming 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.

Note to News Media:  For your convenience, you may download an electronic version of this article.  Simply go to www.funlake.com.  At the top of the home page, click on “Professional Media” to access this article and other Lake of the Ozarks news.