Sunset Hill Farm was filled with snowflakes falling, lights twinkling, Christmas songs playing and families walking around this evening. It was their Winter Lights Night Festival which kicks-off their Winter Lights drive through season. You can drive through the park any evening from Thanksgiving until New Years from 5:00pm until 9:00pm.
“We usually have over five hundred cars, so a couple thousand people will be coming through the festival ”said, Dana Yake , Communications Director of Porter County Parks.
Click here to see more photos from the Winter Lights Festival!
If you ask Dana what she thinks about the all the snow falling she will tell you enthusiastically “I like it! It adds an extra Holiday feel to the festival, sets the tone for the season.”
The Winter Lights Night has been going on since 1999; it is in its 16th year. For $5.00 a car you could enjoy a fun filled evening with your family and friends. Children could write a letter to Santa then actually give it to him and get their picture taken. Elsa and Anna came later in the evening to sign autographs along with Captain America. Other activities offered at the festival were face painting, decorating sugar cookies, making ornaments, and many other crafts.
Walter Lenckos, Superintendent of Porter County Parks was looking forward to “Seeing lots of people having fun in a winter wonderland”
Wagon rides were available throughout the evening to take you around the park to view the lights, as the snow fell. Chesterton High School Magical choir performed Christmas songs on the stage, by the craft tents. If you wanted to sing some Christmas songs yourself, you could go by the blazing fire pit and sing along with the Girl scouts. If you were hungry after singing for $1.00 you could buy a smore’s kit. Once you purchased the kit you could toast your own marshmallow at the fire pit, making it as toasted or burnt as you like it.
Dana Yake, shared about the new addition to the festival this year. “This year we added a new concept to the festival, our Gingerbread House competition. We sought both youth and adult teams along with professional entries. We have seven entries this year.”
Anyone who came to the festival received a ticket to vote for his or her favorite Gingerbread house. If they wanted to vote for more than one they could purchase a ticket for a $1.00. Money raised from the competition will be split among the winners to be donated to their favorite charity.
As night settled over the park the twinkling lights shined through the darkness. It was a magical night full of fun activities, food and laughter. Little kids with big smiles walked through the tents meeting Santa, eating cookies and making crafts. Moms, dads and grandparents stood by ready with their cameras to catch the smiles on their children’s faces, preserving the memory of the evening.
Marlo Harding who had attended the festival years ago came back tonight because her kids were “so excited about the festival!” They were looking forward to the lights and singing.
“My daughter Emma sang with her Daisy Troop tonight.” stated Marlo.
Several vendor trucks were at the festival if all the activities made you hungry or thirsty: Designer Desserts, Hungry Inc. truck, along with a Gourmet Popcorn booth and hot chocolate.
If you haven’t had the pleasure of attending this event mark your calendars for next year. It is a “must-do” event for Porter County!