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Enjoy a climate-controlled Christmas at Mystic Falls Park

Families looking to get into the holiday spirit under a budget can add one more free option to their lists. For the 18th year, Sam’s Town, 5111 Boulder Highway, plans to transform Mystic Falls Park into an indoor winter wonderland.

Boyd Gaming executive chairman Bill Boyd and Sam’s Town vice president and general manager John Sou are scheduled to flip the switch on the attraction at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 27.

“This will be the official kickoff to the holiday season,” Sou said. “The event has become a family tradition for people living throughout Las Vegas.”

The Chaparral High School choir is scheduled to join the festivities from 4 to 5 p.m. Nov. 27.

The pioneer-themed Mystic Falls Park Light and Water Show is set to be transformed into a winter display through Jan. 1. Sam’s Town’s porte-cochere will be adorned with festive lighting and ornamental snowflakes leading into the decorated park.

Melanie Mabry, marketing director at Sam’s Town, said the show has evolved over the years.

“Technology has spruced up the holiday event,” Mabry said. “Each year, the show gets bigger and better. My favorite part has been the robotic bear that sings and dances to Elvis Christmas songs.”

Sou said it snows inside the indoor park five times a night and that he has even seen children try to catch snow on their tongues.

“Kids act like they’re in Michigan in the middle of a snow day,” Sou said.

In addition, Cowboy Santa and Mrs. Claus are set to make an appearance from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and from noon to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in the park’s gazebo. Families can bring cameras to take photos.

The indoor park is also expected to have lighted sculpture polar bears, poinsettias, red garland and ice crystals to enhance the scene.

A 15-minute laser light spectacular is scheduled to run hourly from 5 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 1.

Sou said he expects between 200 and 400 people to visit the attraction each night.

“This is the type of event that makes your heart feel warm,” Sou said. “People who have been here for a long time look forward to it. We have robotic animals and theatrical snow. It’s really something to see.”

For its fourth year Sam’s Town is set to host the Cell Phones for Soldiers program. The program will accept donations of used cellphones through Nov. 27. Yvette Weigold, a member of American Legion Post 51, said each phone donated provides an hour of talk time for soldiers in the U.S. and a half-hour of talk time to those overseas.

Weigold said the program accepts any type of cellphone for recycling. The money collected from the recycled phones goes toward buying prepaid calling cards for the soldiers.

“When I was in the military, a lot of soldiers couldn’t call home because it was too expensive,” Weigold said. “It’s nice to be able to give them the opportunity to call home, especially during the holidays.”

Guests can drop off phones at the B Connected Club at Sam’s Town. Participants will receive a two-for-one coupon for Sam’s Town’s Firelight Buffet.

For more information on the Mystic Falls Winter Wonderland, visit samstownlv.com. For more information on the Cell Phones for Soldiers program, visit cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

Contact Sunrise/Whitney View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686.

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