The Division of Travel and Tourism complies news releases on a regular basis, including monthly events releases, releases on a theme and Ohio tourism trends.
Ohio Illuminates the Night with Light Displays
11/26/2008
CONTACT:
Tamara Brown at (614) 466-8591
Marty McDonald at (614) 383-1621
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Nov. 26, 2008) -- From Toledo to Portsmouth and Dayton to Marietta, Ohioans have been busy stringing up millions of lights around the state. Homes, parks, zoos and village squares all across Ohio soon will be aglow with the warmth and spirit of the holiday season. So get the friends and family together for a road trip to share your favorite memories as you gaze at some of Ohio’s most spectacular holiday light displays. Perhaps it will be the start of a new family tradition, or the continuation of an old one. Either way, cherish the fact that you’re not the one untangling all those strands of lights.
On a side note, Ohio’s numerous light display presenters want visitors to know many of them have made great strides in their efforts to “glow greener” this year by replacing old incandescent light bulbs with more energy efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) resulting in savings of up to 85 percent on electricity.
Lights, Camera… Animals!
Check out the
Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo. At more than 1 million twinkling and chasing lights, it’s one of the largest holiday displays in northwest Ohio. In addition, the Zoo has more than 200 images of your favorite zoo animals, ice-carving demonstrations on Thursday evenings, an 85-foot Norway spruce with more lights than the Rockefeller Plaza tree, carolers, hot chocolate and visits with Santa Claus.
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has everything but the animals decorated with more than 3 million lights. Enjoy a Winter Wonderland including an enchanted ice rink and model train display. And if the winter weather outside is frightful, the animals with indoor facilities welcome you to come in and get warm.
The
PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden radiates holiday fun with 2.5 million sparkling lights! Don’t miss the Madcap Puppet Theatre’s light show performance of “Winter Wonders,” Santa’s Holiday Village, Gingerbread Village or the Polar Express™ 4-D Experience.
Big Lights, Small Towns
For the grand daddy of all holiday light displays, check out the more than 3.5 million lights of the
Legendary Lights at Clifton Mill in Clifton (South of Springfield and east of Dayton in southwest Ohio), the nation's largest operating gristmill. This place is holiday magic with lights that cascade like water down cliffs and waterfalls, and a synchronized light and music show. A covered bridge shines radiantly with thousands of tiny bulbs. Don't miss the collection of more than 3,000 Santa Claus figures and you may want to time your visit to enjoy a stack of homemade buckwheat pancakes in the mill's cozy restaurant.
The
Holiday Trail of Lights at Lake Hope State Park in McArthur (located within the Zaleski State Forest near Athens in southeastern Ohio) is a premiere site for hiking and a wagon ride, where nature and lights perfectly compliment one another. The Trail of Lights features more than 75,000 lights including animated scenes, decorated trees and landscape lighting. Many of the displays along the Buzzard Cave Trail utilize motion detectors, solar power and low voltage light to conserve energy.
The town of
Belpre (located in southeastern Ohio near Marietta along the Ohio River) is aglow with more than 120 beautiful displays of lights during the holiday season. Magnificent lights embellishing bridges are reflected in the smooth, calm waters of the Ohio River. Don't miss the Christmas tree on top of the fire department's training center.
The
Firelands Festival of Lights in Huron at Sawmill Creek Resort (located near Sandusky on Lake Erie) celebrates it 10th anniversary this year with millions of sparkling lights and Santa waiting to hear your holiday wishes at the Candy Cane House.
A Festivus for the Rest of us!
At the
Holiday Lights Parade & Festival in Gahanna (Columbus area), festival-goers will be treated to 10th Anniversary celebration events that include more than 100 lighted floats, marching bands, horse-drawn carriages and a host of other activities and entertainment that will continue long into the evening!
When downtown Cleveland comes alive during the annual
Winterfest, the celebration abounds with an antique horse-drawn carriage parade, holiday lighting ceremony and colorful fireworks that light up the city’s already sparkling skyline.
This year’s
Deck the Hall at the Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron contains the beautifully decorated Manor House and a winter wonderland of lights. Check out the unique and exclusive gifts in the Carriage House Museum Store and enjoy hot chocolate and other holiday fare in the café.
In Hamilton’s Butler County Courthouse Square (near Cincinnati), the
Santa Parade and Santa House captures the beauty of the holiday season with colorful floats, clowns, marching bands and entertainment. This annual parade has taken place for more than 50 years in downtown Hamilton. Make out your wish list and visit with Santa direct from the North Pole in his charmingly original Santa House, or enjoy the Window Wonderland and 100,000 display of holiday lights.
About the Ohio Tourism Division
The Ohio Tourism Division is the premier source of information for travelers and media about Ohio’s vibrant tourism experiences, attractions, and economy. Division marketing programs contributed to an estimated $38 billion in visitor sales in 2007 and 454,000 jobs sustained by visitors to the state. A part of the Ohio Department of Development, the Division’s mission is to promote and celebrate Ohio’s unique travel opportunities and market the state’s outstanding quality of life.
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