By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
Now in its 25th year, “Christmas In the Park” opened to rave reviews before Thanksgiving and will continue lighting up Yukon through New Year’s Eve.
A large snowman riding a reindeer and a “real” outdoor ice-skating rink are featured new attractions in Yukon’s holiday lights spectacular at the interconnecting Chisholm Trail Park, Yukon City Park and Freedom Trail Park.
Drive-thru and walking tours are available nightly through New Year’s Eve across the 100-acre venue.
Christmas In the Park has become Oklahoma’s premier yuletide extravaganza, boasting 5 million twinkling lights and some 450 unique displays.
“When you enter that park, there is such a sense of awe and peace,” Yukon Mayor Shelli Selby said. “I hope that Christmas In the Park this year brings our community back together and gives us a sense of hope that normalcy will return.”
A MAGICAL WONDERLAND
A breath-taking magical wonderland of visual entertainment, Christmas In the Park attracts many tens of thousands of people to Yukon each year. It has helped make this community a true tourist destination.
Other highlights of Yukon’s epic light tour are: A 30-foot color-changing tree, animations and dancing lights synched to Christmas tunes, a glowing Christmas tree island, the large polar bear Czechers, and even a juggling dragon.
Several festive “selfie stations” are scattered throughout the city park complex to provide an ideal holiday photo backdrop.
For a small fee, the ever-popular Santa Express Train will carry visitors on an enhancing ride among the illuminated landscape.
Now Oklahoma’s largest drive-thru light display featuring nearly 3 miles of yuletide fun, Christmas In the Park offers the masses six full weeks of holiday merriment.
“Christmas In the Park is very much part of Yukon’s history and our future,” Yukon Vice Mayor Jeff Wootton said.
“I love seeing all the families coming out and spending time looking at the lights.”
While admission is free, donations are accepted at the exits to Chisholm Trail Park and Yukon City Park.
