This news item expired on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
A popular drive-thru holiday light show that already raises funds for local Special Olympics athletes will also collect non-perishable food items for area families in partnership with MANNA FoodBank – and visitors will receive a complimentary admission to see the illuminated wonderland in exchange for a donation. On Tuesday, Dec. 8, admission to Festival of Lights at Lake Julian Park is free to any vehicle with a suggested donation of at least four items from MANNA’s Most Needed Food List.
“2020 has been a devastating year for many local families, so we thought we’d harness the mountain spirit of our community to help those who need it most,” says Peyton O’Conner, Director of Buncombe County Recreation Services. “COVID-19 has disproportionally affected our neighbors from low-income areas. This community night will help alleviate food insecurity for families and provide a low-cost option for residents to enjoy the festive light displays at the park even if they have a decreased entertainment budget this year.”
Non-perishable healthy grains, protein, fruits, and vegetables will be accepted in lieu of an admission ticket at Festival of Lights on Dec. 8 from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are also available online at buncomberecreation.simpletix.com. Vehicle entry for the Festival of Lights is $10 per passenger vehicle without donated items that evening.
Visitors can expect a magical journey with tunnels of dazzling animated and stationary light displays. Visitors are invited to watch the lights twinkle over the lake and to turn on Rewind 100.3, the local station playing holiday hits from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in our community. Since COVID-19 can spread easily in close spaces, limit those riding in your vehicle to only your immediate household members when attending drive-thru events this holiday season.
Festival of Lights celebrates its twentieth year with new displays and themes to thrill visitors of all ages, nightly from 6-9 p.m. from Dec. 1-23. The festival thrives from its connection to the community; 20% of proceeds are donated to Special Olympics Buncombe County, while the remaining income is reinvested to enhance the festival for the following year.
During an appreciation night at Festival of Lights for Buncombe County employees, enough donations were collected for MANNA FoodBank to provide 1,002 meals to the community.
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