ASHLAND — Since she was a little girl, Jessie Gibson has made the yearly pilgrimage to jump-start her holiday spirit in the glow of the Winter Wonderland of Lights in Central Park.

Monday, for the first time, she brought her own two little boys, 2-year-old Ethan wiggling in her arms while Jonah, 4, scampered around her feet.

They’d just seen Winter Wonderland Queen Tori Powell throw the switch that bathed the park in the glow of 800,000 bulbs, and watched Santa Claus mount the steps of the gazebo.

“It’s what makes Christmas. It’s something you have to do every year,” Gibson said.

The Gibsons were among several hundred people who spent the unseasonably warm evening in the park, waiting for the magical moment when an electric spark would light it up for the holidays.

It’s the 19th year for the annual Christmas lighting spectacular sponsored by the Ashland Alliance. It’s the fifth since opening ceremonies have been held at the gazebo, said Marion Russell, a member of the committee and assistant director of public services for the city, which provides the labor to set up the displays and store them after the holidays.

“This is about the beauty of Christmas. Us old folks do it because we like Christmas,” Russell said.

The wonderland opening ushers in next week’s Christmas parade, which will take to the streets at 7 p.m. Nov. 20.

Marshall University football coach Mark Snyder will serve as grand marshal.

Opening ceremonies included a selection of holiday favorites by the combined choirs of Paul G. Blazer High School and George M. Verity Middle School, which have been practicing since late September.

“It’s always fun with the new students, who wonder why we’re singing Christmas songs in September,” said director Karen Hopkins.

The performance wasn’t mandatory but few choir members opted out, she said. “They were all excited to come,” she said.

Other performers included the River Magic Chorus, directed by Beverly Miller.

The ever-growing festival includes several new displays this year, said committee chair Tyna Wright. A number of older displays have been refurbished, she said.

And volunteers have spent many hours checking the hundreds of thousands of bulbs, Russell said.

The lights will go on every night from dusk to 11 p.m. through Jan. 2.

Winter Wonderland train rides will be available until Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 16 and Friday and Saturday before Christmas, at the log house in the park.

Santa will visit at the log house from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 22-25, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, and Dec. 7-9, 14-16 and 21-22. Pictures with Santa will be available except for Nov. 22.

Deadline for application for the home and business decorating contests will be Dec. 3 and judging will be Dec. 8-16.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.