Published: September 20, 2008 10:28 pm      

Festival to celebrate ‘20 years of making memories’

ASHLAND — Winter Wonderland of Lights is celebrating its 20th year of making memories.

The annual festival that brings thousands of twinkling lights to Ashland’s Central Park and downtown streets for six weeks each year is sponsored by a committee of the Ashland Alliance — the chamber of commerce for Boyd and Greenup counties.

Although displays will begin being installed in Central Park within the next month, opening night is set for Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.

Committee member Marion Russell said volunteers began working more than 2 weeks ago to test displays and replace burned out and discolored light bulbs. It takes city workers and volunteers approximately six weeks to set up the displays throughout downtown and Central Park.

Organizers say they have added a new project to the festival this year in an effort to get more public participation. Organizations, businesses and members of the public are invited to submit Christmas cards, constructed out of plywood, to be displayed in the park along with the light displays.

Designs must be submitted and approved by the festival but any type of non-commercial holiday message is acceptable, said board member Paula Mayo. She said up to 70 Christmas cards, constructed on two pieces of hinged plywood no larger than 4-by-8-foot and no smaller than 2-by-6-foot, will be accepted. The deadline to submit designs is Oct. 13.

Mayo said 15 designs have been submitted so far. The project, she said, is a chance to “let the community be a part of the festival” beyond just donating funds. The Christmas cards will be an annual part of the festival from now on, she said, adding organizations can resubmit their card year after year but are responsible for their storage.

Also new this year is the addition of pole mounted musical instrument displays to tie into Winchester Avenue’s designation as part of the Country Music Highway. Several new pieces, including a French horn, trumpet and electric guitar, will be installed along the thoroughfare.

Numerous other displays have also been added to the collection in the park and several other pieces have been refurbished, including the Ferris wheel that sits at the corner of 17th and Lexington Avenue. New animated displays include a Jack in the Box, Santa in Sleigh with 9 reindeer, elves trimming a Christmas tree and stuffing a stocking, children skating and a toy factory.

Volunteers are needed and welcomed for a variety of activities associated with the festival, including the annual Christmas Parade. The theme of this year’s festival and parade is “20 Years of Making Memories.” It will be in downtown Ashland on Nov. 25 beginning at 7 p.m.

This year’s grand marshal is local philanthropist and former business owner Margaret Adkins.

Individuals interested in volunteering can contact Paula Mayo at (606) 324-5111.

CARRIE KIRSCHNER can be reached at ckirschner@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2653.