EXPLORING OKLAHOMA WITH CHILDREN
O Christmas Towns
QUIRKY & BRIGHT HOLIDAY TRADITIONS ACROSS OKLAHOMA
BY LINDSAY CUOMO . PHOTOS PROVIDED.
CHICKASHA USHERS IN THE HOLIDAY CHEER WITH FESTIVAL OF LIGHT AND A 50-FOOT LEG LAMP CELEBRATING A LOCAL CONNECTION TO THE FILM A CHRISTMAS STORY . PHOTOS BY DEAN IMAGES.
Take a family road trip this season to experience holiday traditions new and old around our state. These three Oklahoma towns crank up Christmas in quirky, creative and charismatic ways.
Chickasha
Chickasha’s Festival of Light is the oldest light display in the state. Set in motion 31 years ago by a group of citizens seeking to promote goodwill and civic pride, the festival draws inspiration each year from the youthful wonder of the season, attempting to capture “Christmas through the eyes of a child,” shared Logan Lassey, the festival’s director. “We like to follow the Disneyland rule,” said Lassey, “because we want to provide a warm, welcoming experience for everyone who comes to the park.” For the past three decades, Shannon Springs Park’s 43 acres have been illuminated by millions of twinkling lights. Intricate displays range from whimsical characters to traditional holiday scenes, creating a magical atmosphere that spreads joy and holiday cheer. Families can walk, drive or ride through the light display, which is open daily starting Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. Over the years, organizers and volunteers have expanded the festival, adding a 162-foot tree that can be seen for miles, carriage rides, an ice-skating rink, camel rides, food trucks and even a Ferris wheel. Santa and Mrs. Claus stop in most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout the season.
In more recent years, the holiday fun has grown to include downtown Chickasha. Inspired by a local connection to the popular Christmas film A Christmas Story , a 40-foot inflatable leg lamp debuted on Chickasha Avenue in 2020, creating quite a buzz. Rumor has it that a creation by local artist and art teacher Noland James was the inspiration for the unique lamp in the movie. Chickasha’s towering leg lamp got an upgrade last holiday season, adding 10 extra feet and a new, more permanent fiberglass construction. The lamp is now the centerpiece of the Science & Arts Plaza year-round. This December, stop in to pose for a photo with the lamp, check out downtown’s Christmas tree nearby, peruse a Red Rider BB Gun exhibit and then hop aboard the Santa Shuttle, a round-trip ride from Chickasha Avenue to Shannon Springs Park. For $2 a person, the shuttle will transport families from downtown to the Festival of Light, touring festive neighborhoods along the way. The shuttle and the BB gun exhibit will be open on select weekends in December and shuttle tickets are available for purchase at 100 W. Chickasha Ave. Kids 3 & under ride for free and strollers are welcome aboard the
shuttle. Proceeds benefit Chickasha Public Schools. For more information about the Festival of Light, visit chickashafestivaloflight.org .
58 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / NOV-DEC 2023
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