Want to go to a drive-through holiday lights display that features half a million lights, without driving to another city?
Now you can.
In its second year, Jefferson City's Festival of Lights is flourishing. It's brought in about 2,000 people and raised approximately $30,000 this year, organizer Jeff Buker said. Half the profits go toward funding the lights/displays and the other half are divided among several not-for-profits that help with the event.
This year, those agencies include Homemaker Health Care, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Special Learning Center, all of which provide volunteers for the event. Buker is a volunteer for Homemaker Health Care, which helped to start the Festival of Lights. The organization provides medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers and canes to people who are unable to afford them.
Buker said toward the beginning of the holiday season that more than 1,000 volunteer hours had already been spent on the display. As of Sunday evening, that number was far greater he said, adding that between six and 10 people typically help out for the three hours the display is open in the evening.
The display is is featured at Binder Park and open 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, through Dec. 31. The entrance is on Binder Lake Road off of Rainbow Drive.
The cost is $20 for cars and $30 for buses. Buker said The Trolley Company gives tours through the display, and most of the local nursing homes have taken vans through.
This year, the display has increased in size by about 20 percent, Buker said.
"We've added a larger-than-life Grinch village, and we've completely lit up the dam across the lake, so you can see across the lake and the lights on the dam that reflect off the water," he said.
Also added this year was a series of singing Christmas trees that is synced to music. One of the favorite displays of last year's the Enchanted Forest has doubled in size this year, he said. Another returning favorite is LED "snow tubes," which give the appearance that it's snowing in areas of Binder.
Buker said one of the main comments he hears from people going through the display is: "We're exited Jeff City has something like this, and we don't have to drive to another city."
Several people who drove through the display Sunday night gave it rave reviews.
"It's really cool," said Cathie Hubbard, who went with three family members. "I would highly recommend it. We'll be back next year."
Buker said he's "extremely pleased" with the event, which he and other organizers hope to make it even bigger in future years.
"Even if we had two people who showed up and enjoyed it, it would still be a success," he said. "We have Santa and elves give out candy canes, too. It puts a smile on your face, and I think that's why we keep having the volunteers coming back night after night in the cold."