Friday, November 22, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Drive-Through Cheer

Gift of Lights at Sunset Park features variety of holiday displays

More than 3 million lights went into making the 100 holiday displays. The holiday-themed event also takes on a patriotic flavor with the United States flag in light.

The Gift of Lights, a drive-through holiday display at Sunset Park, has doubled in size in only its second year in existence.

More than 3 million lights have been used in illuminating the 100 displays on view.

In addition, eventgoers can tune to "Ho Ho Radio," 1430 AM (available only in the park), and hear holiday music.

Several themed areas have been set up, including:

• "Winter Wonderland," with holiday twinkles, arch tunnel of giant snowflakes and giant Frosty the Snowman display.

• "Poinsettia Lane," complete with poinsettia arch, a giant elf scene, giant silhouette train and Santa's Candy Land.

• "Toyland," arch featuring Santa's elves packing gifts; nutcracker and dancing ballerinas; gift wagon and stocking with toys with a rocking horse, a fire engine, gumdrop house and toy soldiers; holiday bear welcome archway; and holiday train.

• "Holiday Happiness," including dancing trees, a U.S. flag, the "Night Before Christmas" and giant Santa and reindeer scene, flying deer archway tunnel, Happy Hanukkah display, Nativity scene, Santa on a cell phone and a Kwanzaa scene.

• "Victorian Villages," with carolers, carriages, mansion, lamplighters and riverboat.

• "Viva Las Vegas," featuring a sphinx, representing the Luxor, a large Santa and airplane, large music notes and a guitar, and Santa with his HDTV.

• "Once Upon a Time," with a unicorn entrance, flowing fountain and swans, jousting scene, Santa flight school, giant North Pole scene, and Cinderella and Prince Charming.

Presented by KB Home and co-sponsored by the Clark County Department of Parks and Community Services, the drive-through event begins at the park's Eastern Avenue entrance, north of Warm Springs Road, and exits at Sunset Road.

Special events include free community night Monday, co-sponsored by the Review-Journal, providing free admission to all attendees; a Toys for Tots drive by KLAS-TV, Channel 8 on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6; and Boys Scouts serving hot chocolate and apple cider Fridays and Saturdays.

Admission is $10 per car or $8 with a donation of "gently used" clothing for Goodwill of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit organization that provides training, employment and job placement for people with disabilities and other special needs. Donations can be made on-site at the event or at Goodwill locations in Las Vegas and Henderson.

More than 6,000 donations were made last year, according to Steve Chartrand, president and CEO of the local Goodwill organization.

Partial proceeds benefit the Clark County Department of Parks and Community Services Fund.