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Over 1,000,000
Lights Glistening To Welcome Visitors
TANGLEWOOD FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Each year Tanglewood Park is
transformed from an all-round recreational facility into a winter
wonderland featuring the Festival of Lights---one of the largest and
most spectacular drive- through lighting display shows in the
Southeast. Just 10 miles west of Winston-Salem, Tanglewood’s
Festival of Lights is spread throughout the 1300-acre park and
features a million individual lights on all types of displays,
ranging from tin soldiers to golfers, a grist mill, and majestic
reindeer leaping high across cars on the road. The Festival has
grown from 25 displays in 1992 to 180 displays this year, including
70 that are animated. Each year the festival has become bigger and
brighter and the displays more appealing.
Now in its 14th year the festival has been selected as a Top 20
Event in the Southeast and included in the Top 100 Events in North
America. One-way traffic allows a clear view of the picturesque
displays on the almost four mile tour--traveling through the
beautiful countryside of the park—transforming it into a wonderland
of snowflakes and whimsical scenes—a great tour for all ages, young
and old.
Even before reaching the gatehouse a rainbow of lighted arches and a
display of Heralds welcome visitors. Some of the elaborate magical
displays are the Nativity Scene, Snow Flakes adorning the windblown
trees, a Mooresville golfer hitting a perfect drive down the
fairway, a Southern Railway Steam engine loaded with gifts, proud
tin soldiers guarding the gates of Toyland, majestic reindeer
leaping high over cars, and a horse trainer running his horse.
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As you near the Manor House,
where displays encompass the entire loop, cars will be directed to bear
right where visitors will pass such popular displays as a Grist Mill and
stream, Shimmering Swans, Frosty the Snowman, an animated Fireworks Finale,
a Hot Air Balloon, a Tunnel of Lights, and the animated display of a runner
Training for the 10K. As autos loop around Skilpot Lake creatures of the
lake become nervous and a Leaping Frog, Jumping Fish, and a Sea Serpent jump
out to see who is approaching, while the Skilpot Mermaid calmly watches the
traffic.
About halfway around the park there’s a chance to take a break by visiting
the Holiday Gift Shop at the red barn, featuring holiday crafts, and a
variety of custom-made fashions, including woodwork, Christmas ornaments and
other fine gifts created by nearly a hundred Triad craftsmen. At the
concession area children and adults alike will love the chance to roast
marshmallows and drink hot chocolate at the giant outdoor marshmallow
roaster. Santa is in the shop each Thursday greeting customers and posing
for pictures for those who would like a remembrance. Reservations for photos
may be made by calling 336-778-6352 after 4 p.m.
Next to the clubhouse at the top of the hill is the decorated historic Mount
Pleasant Church built in 1809. When you leave this loop, you enter Toyland
where visitors of all ages will be oohhing and aahhing as they continue
driving through the displays to the exit.
The entire route is one way with cars driving with their lights off to
better view the displays. But, don’t worry—with all the lighted displays the
roads are very visible. The festival is well organized and traffic moves
slowly, but constantly.
If you’re going:
From Mooresville It’s 50 miles, about an hours drive one-way. From
Statesville take I-40 East towards Winston-Salem; then take exit 180 in
Advance and follow the signs to Tanglewood Park and the Festival of Lights.
Open nightly 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. through January 1, 2007. Rates: Monday –
Thursday (excluding Holidays) $9.00 for family cars, vans and trucks. Friday
– Sunday and Holidays $13 -- including Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. With
advanced reservations Holiday Dinner Party packages, Overnight Stay
packages, hayrides and carriage rides are available. For Dinner packages
call (336) 778-6310. For Horse Drawn Carriage rides and Hayrides call the
stables at (336) 766-9540. For more information on the Festival call (336)
778-6300. The best days to attend the festival are Sunday through Thursday.
On Friday and Saturday evenings the wait just to enter the park can run an
hour or longer.
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