NEW BOSTON, Texas - Now open to share that holiday sparkle and spirit, Season of Lights will provide a Christmas light show and entertainment for the next month.
Born of a desire to have a Christmas light show closer to home, Season of Lights is owned by Kim and Randall Baggett, who opened the space a couple years ago after taking their kids to Tyler for a similar light show and drive-through Christmas park.
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"We thought it would be something nice to have in our community. That was a pipe dream," Kim Baggett said. Then her husband found a piece of land along the interstate highway, at first for another business but plans changed when she saw it. That "pipe dream" turned into reality.
"When I went out there, I was like, 'No, this is going to be our drive-through Christmas light park,'" she said.
Season of Lights is open daily through Dec. 27: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Baggett said it's a one-mile trail with various scenes along the drive-through route. Guests can stop at the entertainment center about three-fourths of the way through. The entertainment center includes photo booths, most with local sponsors. Then there's Christmas greenery, too.
"I think we're up to 20-something trees inside that are decorated to take pictures in front of," she said.
There's a gift store, s'mores kits with a fire pit to make them outside and special character nights. Keep track on their Facebook page to find out who's visiting when, even the Grinch. "We have the best hot chocolate around," Barrett added.
This year Santa and Mrs. Claus were scheduled to arrive the Friday night after Thanksgiving. Because of COVID-19, they'll have separate seating for Santa and the kids. They set aside an area where families can snap photos.
"He will not be doing any lap-holding, but we still want them to have the experience of seeing Santa and having the picture," Baggett said. Santa will wear a mask if requested, but kids and Santa are seated apart.
Season of Lights had a rough first year with rain, Baggett admits. But they've added lights, changed things around and grown
since then.
"We've added more and more every year, new features, and built more lights every year. Every year we'll keep adding more lights. This year we added a tree maze out front," Baggett said.
Instead of having people gather together, they want to encourage more outside participation. They extended the porch area, too, and added tables to lessen large gatherings inside. They have food trucks on the weekends to help avoid congestion at the concession
stand.
Fat Bottom Farms Kettle Corn is popped nightly.
"We also added a very large tunnel this year to our exit trail," Baggett said. They have a row dedicated to first responders.
Once there at Season of Lights, guests can listen to 88.5 FM to hear Christmas music throughout the park. Several displays play along to the music.
Directions to get to Season of Lights are as follows: Turn off at Exit 198 on Interstate 30. Coming from Texarkana, take a left on Texas Highway 98 and then go under the overpass to take the first right on the frontage road, which dead ends at Season of Lights.
(Admission is $25 for vehicles with up to eight people, $40 for commercial vehicles. Tickets are available at the entrance via cash, debit card or credit card. More info: Seasonoflights.org or call 903-278-6869.)