Christmas countdown

With a cast of Christmas characters, Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley helps flip the switch to turn on Ozark Mountain Christmas.
Joshua Clark | Branson Tri-Lakes News

By Joshua Clark
Staff Writer
Originally published Nov. 4, 2009

Ozark Mountain Christmas, one of the area’s most popular times of year for visitors, officially got under way Monday evening when the “big switch” was flipped, signaling the opening of the “Festival of Lights” drive-through lighting display.

“I am so excited about this time of year,” Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley said. “It doesn’t get any better than this. Branson is consistently recognized across the nation for the way that we honor Christmas.”

In addition to the mayor, Ross Summers, president of the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, was on hand for the opening ceremony, along with several characters from Silver Dollar City’s Holiday Light Parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Missouri Kids.

“We here in Branson are so happy to share the Christmas season, as well as the real reason for the season, with our guests,” Presley said. “We here always know that our lord and savior Jesus Christ is the reason for this season.”

The main attraction of the evening was the lighting of the mile-long drive-through Christmas light display. Located on Expressway Lane just off Shepherd of the Hills Expressway across from the entrance to the Sight & Sound Theatre, the display is bigger than ever, featuring 170 displays, more than half of which are new.

“We have so many beautiful new lights up in this year’s drive-through,” Summers said. “This has always been a community project, and it serves as a focal point to bring people together during this time of year.”

Some of the new lights featured are a 100-foot Santa’s castle, a 120-foot toy shop and a 16-arch tunnel of lights. In addition to the drive-through, the town is also decorated with more than 250 illuminated stars and 180 new star-spray displays.

“This is our 19th year for the Festival of Lights, and it has become a tradition with both visitors and locals alike,” Summers said.

“We are really proud of it this year especially. We can end the tourist season in a spectacular way.”

Presley agreed wholeheartedly.

“This Christmas season is going to be spectacular,” Presley said.

In addition to lighting the drive-through, Presley also made sure to thank the workers who put the display together.

“This is such a busy time of year, and our workforce really put in the extra time, and they always did it with a smile,” Presley said. “This event couldn’t be what we wanted it to be without our sponsors and our workforce.”

The lighting display will continue nightly until Jan. 2, from dusk-11 p.m. Admission is $10 per family vehicle, $25 for mini-coaches, church vans and limos and $50 for full-sized motor coaches. A family season pass may be purchased for $20.

“This whole thing is fun, and we have a great time doing things like this,” Summers said. “Christmas in Branson is all about having fun. What more can you say?”

More displays can be found throughout the city of Branson, as many area businesses get in on the festive atmosphere. Along with Branson, Kimberling City, Indian Point on Table Rock Lake and nearly every other community offers special sights to help make Branson’s Area Festival of Lights a true area-wide event.

In addition to the BAFOL display, there are also displays at Silver Dollar City’s “Old Time Christmas,” which begins Nov. 7 and the “Trail of Lights” at the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead and Outdoor Park. For additional information, visit explorebranson.com.