The Lights of Christmas: Lights, activities await visitors to Warm Beach Camp
Published 9:07 am Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Ninety-three days after Warm Beach Camp staff members began hanging the first lights of the year, the 12th edition of “The Lights of Christmas” festival will open on Thursday, with its glow of more than 1 million holiday lights and trademark sights and sounds. The festival takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Dec. 7, Dec. 11 through 14, Dec. 17 through 23 and Dec. 26 through 28, at 20800 Marine Drive, Stanwood.
Outside, visitors can admire a new salmon stream display and an iceberg castle; meet goats, rabbits and other animals at the petting farm, and enjoy pony, train and draft horse wagon rides. The train ride, named the “Polar Express II,” has a new engine and new sound effects, marketing associate Sarah Eschbach explained.
Warm Beach’s halls will feature a craft show, a story-telling area and still more festive decorations.
Live music is planned, including performances by the Victorian Carolers. Holiday treats and drinks will be easily found, one of the event’s trademark snacks being fresh doughnuts.
This year, obtaining the doughnuts will be quicker, as the staff has added a second stand to shorten guests’ waiting time, Eschbach said.
“Even though it can be crowded, ‘The Lights of Christmas’ truly provides an escape from the busyness of the world,” artistic director Keith Yarter said. “It is a place to get away and breathe, and truly enjoy the holiday season.”
Warm Beach also offers “The Lights of Christmas” dinner and dessert theater. According to press materials, this year’s show is “A Christmas Story” by Dan Baumgartner.
Admission to “The Lights of Christmas” is $12, $8 for military and seniors, $7 ages 4 to 12, and free for ages 3 and under; dinner theater tickets cost $46 per person and include free admission to return to tour the grounds on another night because the show ends too late to allow people to tour it afterward. Thursday dinner theater shows are $39. Dessert theater tickets cost $28.
Check-in time for dinner shows is 5 p.m., with seating at 6 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, Dec. 4 through 20, as well as Dec. 22 and 23. Check-in time for matinees is 2:30 p.m. Sundays, with seating at 3 p.m. Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Advance purchase is required for dinner theater tickets. No one under age 8 is admitted to the dinner theater, and entree choices must be made at the time of registration.
