43
Light up your Christmas with drive-through experience
By LINDA M. LINONIS
COLUMBIANA
Though snow would enhance the setting, the balmy weather in the Valley has buoyed attendance at the drive-through Joy of Christmas light display in Fire-stone Park.
That’s what Larry Deidrick, owner of Columbiana Diner and president of Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau, said of the holiday feature at the 68-acre park established by the donation of land and funds by Harvey S. Firestone. The tourism board works closely with Columbiana Chamber of Commerce.
This is the fifth year for the display. “Last year, we had about 4,200 cars with some 20,000 people visit,” Deidrick said. He said the busiest days are on the weekend, with Friday nights attracting about 200 cars and Saturdays, between 300 to 400.
Deidrick said the light display came about as a way to attract visitors to the park and village in November and December. It joins the annual arts and crafts show in August, Springtime in Columbiana and the summertime wine festival as tourism board projects. “These are ways to promote Columbiana,” Deidrick said.
The holiday light display has some 66 scenes, and some are animated. Work starts in early November to set up the displays. Deidrick said it’s a dual effort of park employees and a men’s group from East Fairfield United Methodist Church, which volunteers as a service project. “It’s a monstrous project,” Deidrick said. He cited twins Jake and Josh Stoy, who faithfully turn the displays off and on. “It takes about 45 minutes,” Deidrick said.
“We wouldn’t be able to do this without the hundreds of volunteers who help,” he added.
The largest display is a gristmill that is about 45 feet long and its wheel is animated. A nearby three-tier fountain and animated dolphins are nearby. They are near Mirror Lake, where they are reflected.
There are many other light displays, and not all are holiday-oriented such as a horse and buggy, but those that are include Santa Claus bowling and riding in a golf cart along with a snow globe and elves going up and down a slide.
Deidrick said he believes another attraction to the light display are the two stops along the route – Gingerbread House and Santa’s Ice Castle.
The Gingerbread House features more than 100 uniquely decorated gingerbread houses created by students in Columbiana, Leetonia and South Range schools. The gingerbread houses are a testament to children’s imagination and creativity. Pastel marshmallows, coconut, red and green gumdrops, jelly beans in an array of colors are among the candy and sweet details that highlight the structures. One house went another direction, using crackers to form the roof and pretzels, the sides. Other additions were gingerbread cookies shaped like horses pulling a carriage. One gingerbread house was a tribute to Ohio State written in red and white candy pieces.
A light display with Santa Claus and Rudolph welcome visitors to Santa’s Ice Castle, where white and blue lights that form a design give the impression of a castle. Children can visit with Santa through Dec. 24 and have photos taken. There also are Christmas crafts and face painting for children. Entertainment also is featured.
Deidrick said the admission fee benefits the park; among improvements are a lighted fountain in Mirror Lake, renovations to women’s and men’s restrooms and enhancing the electrical system. The park is marking its 80th year.