15th season for Bright NightsDate: 11/25/2009 SPRINGFIELD When Bright Nights at Forest Park opens for its 15th season on Nov. 25, car admission prices will take a step back in time to 1995 to be exact, when Bright Nights made its debut. For one night only, the admission fee for cars will be $6.
"We want to give something back to the community and encourage new visitors to experience the lights," Judith A. Matt, Spirit of Springfield president, said.
Opening night visitors will be the first to experience the new Winter Garden display, sponsored by MassMutual Financial Group. It extends the tour to nearly three miles with its snowflake towers, icy urns, deer, snowflakes, a frozen carousel and more. All are lit with energy efficient LED (light emitting diode) bulbs. The bulbs are energy efficient and are brighter than the traditional incandescent bulbs.
The Winter Garden is located after the Kwanzaa, Nativity and Menorah displays and before Seuss Land.
In addition to the new display, visitors can also enjoy wagon and carriage rides weekends in December, Supper with Santa, Dinner with Dickens, photos with Santa and can purchase the 15th anniversary commemorative items in Santa's Cottage. Items include a coffee table book, cookbook and holiday CD featuring local artists.
The glow from Forest Park will emanate from Nov. 25 through Dec. 6 and nightly from Dec. 9 through Jan. 2, 2010 starting at 5 p.m.
Lights stay on until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day). Admission is $15 per car Monday through Thursday and $18 Friday through Sunday and holidays. Buses are $70 and $150, depending upon vehicle capacity.
The 2009 season of Bright Nights at Forest Park is sponsored by Baystate Health, Big Y World Class Markets, Charlie Arment Trucking, Clear Channel, Comcast, C & W Realty, Hasbro Games, Health New England, Kentucky Fried Chicken, MassMutual Financial Group, Mercy Medical Center, Northeast Grounds Management, Northern Tree Service/Palmer Renewable Energy, PeoplesBank, Sheraton Springfield, Siemens, The Republican/MassLive, Tower Square, United Bank, Urban League of Springfield and WWLP-22News.
Bright Nights is presented by the Spirit of Springfield with the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management.
For more information about activities and commemorative items, visit www.brightnights.org or call the Spirit of Springfield at 733-3800.
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