The wonder of it all!
Stephen Foster’s Festival of Lights

Festival of Lights – Five-year-old Wyatt Green, of Lake City, was captivated by the reindeer. “We need to take care of these animals! They look thirsty!” He exclaimed. -All SVT Photos by Tami Stevenson

By Tami Stevenson

This year, through Christmas Eve, be sure to bring your family out to see the lighted wonders that are everywhere at Stephen Foster’s Festival of Lights in White Springs. The park is filled with diverse and creative displays that are sure to capture the imagination of children and adults alike, and of course, Santa.
Visit the Craft Square at the Gingerbread Village where there are children’s activities and vendors. Enjoy free popcorn, hot cocoa and marshmallows while there. See the big train display or take a train ride through the park ($5 per rider) or have dinner and dessert at the North Pole Cafe. Visit John Pfund the blacksmith and learn about this ancient art of bending metal to create items such as wrought-iron gates, railings, furniture, horseshoes and tools.

The Festival of Lights will continue through the night before Christmas Eve, December 24 will be their only Silent Night.

Park Service Specialist Andrea Thomas said they have some church choirs and handbell performances coming in, weather permitting, on the 22nd and 23rd, in the bell tower from 6 - 7 p.m. They also have free face painting Wednesday and Thursday.

Although park specialists create and set up most of the lighted themes, Thomas said there are individuals and community organizations that volunteer to create and set up some of the displays as well.
“We are always looking for people to come and volunteer, to do scenes, to help put up lights,” said Thomas. “We do take monetary donations and (have) sponsors, but we also love that the McAlpin Homeschool Coop came and did a scene and they’re volunteering. The Hamilton High School Key Club always comes out and volunteers and 4-H groups that do scenes.”

Thomas wanted to encourage anyone interested in helping out next year to start planning what scene they would like to do. “We’ll find a spot for them!”

“We just hope everybody can come out and enjoy the festival,” she added. “Get your free popcorn, cocoa and marshmallows, see the big train display, see Santa. Just really enjoy the holiday and enjoy time with family.”