Minions adorn a manger scene by the Bedford CTC FFA club at the second annual Holiday Nights of Lights, a grassroots, community-based drive-thru light display at the Bedford County Fairgrounds. Businesses, schools, churches and families have created displays as part of the socially distant celebration of the season. Mirror photo by Holly Claycomb
Whether it’s a walk through the neighborhood or a drive through one of the region’s sponsored holiday light displays, viewing outdoor lighting displays is a holiday tradition undeterred by COVID-19.
Displays in Bedford and Altoona are reporting increased business, most likely because the coronavirus is preventing people from doing so many other activities.
“We are thrilled to provide our community with a safe activity for the holiday season,” said Andrea Cohen, president of Blair Companies Real Estate and Lakemont Park. “We have experienced consistent car traffic and have made a number of adjustments due to COVID restrictions.”
In its second year, the Bedford County Chamber Foundation’s Holiday Nights of Lights at the Bedford County Fairgrounds has been “extremely well-attended,” said Kellie Goodman Shaffer, president and CEO of Bedford County Chamber of Commerce and Bedford County Chamber Foundation.
In its 24th year, Lakemont Park has offered the drive-thru attraction with a price per car of $13; per commercial van, $25; a school bus, $30; and motor coach, $80. A portion of the proceeds from the light display sponsorships is donated to the Lighting Up Lives fund through the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation, said Lakemont Park General Manager Melanie Shildt.
In its 24th year, Lakemont Park’s Lights on the Lake donates a portion of the proceeds from the display to the Lighting Up Lives fund through the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation. Courtesy photo
This year, the recipient of the Lighting Up Lives fund donation is The Arc of Blair County.
The park has fielded a larger number of calls from outside the area, Shildt said, likely because other events were canceled or downsized throughout the region.
“We’ve also had several businesses contact us and purchase a large number of vehicle passes … to provide to employees in lieu of not being able to have a holiday party. This is not something that has typically happened during an average year. We are pleased to be able to offer this option to local businesses,” she said.
In Bedford, the foundation added additional weekend nights for viewing for a total of 18 nights. The display is open 6 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 23 and again Dec. 26 and 27.
“We have right around 100 participating businesses, including 20 new displays this year, as well as several businesses who added to the displays they did last year. We also had more sponsors this year,” Goodman Shaffer said. Last year, the display had 12 viewing nights with about 1,000 vehicles passing through.
Santa delivers presents by boat in a display at the second annual Holiday Nights of Lights at the Bedford County Fairgrounds. Mirror photo by Holly Claycomb
At Lakemont Park, Shildt said, they have 183 displays across 51 acres, with 170 sponsors — 32 of them new.
Additionally, the site offers a Santa’s Village Gift Shop area, where space is donated to the Alto Model Train Museum Association, “so that they can provide the community with a stunning train display that can be viewed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings this year. Social distancing remains in effect for the model train display,” Shildt said.
“This year, we’re right around 1,000 cars after seven nights, with 11 more nights to go. We don’t have long lines waiting. I think the longest folks wait is maybe 15 or 20 minutes, and that’s if they are lined up before the gates open,” she said.
With a suggested donation of $10, the Bedford display funds the Bedford County Chamber Foundation, which provides educational opportunities to students and adults of the Bedford County region, such as “career fairs and field days, leadership programs (adult and 10th grades), and literacy programs,” Goodman Shaffer said. “Our focus is making connections between students and the business community, preparing the workforce and community leaders of the future.”
Learn the lore
Have you ever wondered why we decorate with lights and feast on fine foods during the holidays?
Join Altoona folklorist Michael Allison and advertising/marketing business owner Don Mast for some fun learning on their podcasts, “The Podcast About Everything.” The pair have been collaborating since June, and their first one-hour podcast in the yuletide series, “Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas,” dropped Dec. 13. The holiday-themed, three-part series delves into the evolution of holiday traditions and is available on major platforms such as Spotify, Apple and others.
December 19, 2020 at 12:15PM
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