Xmas Date Night--Meadow Lights
We drove out to see the Meadow Lights last night. Our neighbor tipped us off to it, after seeing it featured on a local news program.
A partial reflection from the dash on the windshield, as we were nearing Benson
It's down a few long and winding country roads. Thought to be the oldest operated Christmas light show in Eastern North Carolina, Meadow Lights is family operated. It began over 40 years ago as small decorated seasonal yard art and grew to include more than 30 acres. An estimated 100,000 people come to see it every year. We spoke with the owner, Roy, and one of his daughters (?) and he told us that they have to begin erecting the show in mid-September. He isn't sure how many lights are up as they've expanded through the years, but one of the candle displays alone has 16,000 bulbs.
There are a lot of patriotic displays.
They also do religious vignettes. Six scenes, using custom mannequins depicting the life of Jesus from birth to resurrection.
Admission is free, as is parking. If the first area is filled, additional parking can be found behind the Old Country store.
The store sells cold drinks, Christmas decor, novelties and homemade icebox fruit cakes. What it is probably best known for is the over 300 varieties of old-fashioned and Christmas candies that fill the open barrels. Incidentally, if you are diabetic, they also carry 20 varieties that are sugar free.
To the right of the Country Store is the train station. They have three mini trains that run continuously, covering 10 acres. Enclosed on three sides, the train is remarkably warm, even on the coldest nights (I imagine it was in the low 40s while we were there). It also has wide, low openings and roomy seats to accommodate everyone, including senior citizens that may have difficulty with mobility.
Much to my surprise, there were hundreds of visitors braving the cold right along with us last night. As we returned to our car, a bus of church kids emptied out on to the lot. If you should plan a visit soon, my understanding is it is forecasted to warm up. Tickets for the train are $2.00 each.
While we were on our train ride, a young girl, that looked to be eight or nine, sat two seats ahead of us. She was simultaneously overwhelmed and delighted by the light show, twisting her head this way and that, giving anyone around her a running commentary. It went on for several minutes. Couldn't get upset with her. Her enthusiasm was infectious.
Bethany?: (without taking a single breath) Oh, look at the train and the snowman and the toy soldier and the Santa....
Bethany's mom: (exasperated warning) Bethany.
Bethany: ....and the reindeer. Momma, look at the Fourth of July flag and the gingerbread house and the race car.....
Bethany's mom: Calm down, Bethany.
Bethany: ...and the horse and the peacock and, look, a pig. The polar bear. He just threw a snowball. Did you see that? Goodness gracious!
The 'goodness gracious; totally cracked me up. Sorry these pictures aren't better. My camera has a tough time with low light.
A lot of the displays were interactive. The jack-in-the-box, for example, would throw a toy Pooh bear that would follow a pulsing arc and 'splash' down into the nearby illuminated open honey pot.
They seemed to group displays. The backside was fairytale/winter wonderland complete with gingerbread houses, animated bears and whatnot. One portion was dedicated to aviation, motor sports and transportation in general. The outside right looked to focus on country/western and outdoor pursuits like fishing, steer roping, etc. It was next to impossible to shoot photos from the train.
To the right of the train station are more restrooms, a 16-horse carousel (fully enclosed) and a refreshment stand serving hot sandwiches, hotdogs, drinks and other concessions. We didn't see any item over $2.00.
All in all, a really neat place in a kitschy kind of way. Somewhere we'll consider visiting again next year. Click here to launch a short video on Meadow Lights.
A partial reflection from the dash on the windshield, as we were nearing Benson
It's down a few long and winding country roads. Thought to be the oldest operated Christmas light show in Eastern North Carolina, Meadow Lights is family operated. It began over 40 years ago as small decorated seasonal yard art and grew to include more than 30 acres. An estimated 100,000 people come to see it every year. We spoke with the owner, Roy, and one of his daughters (?) and he told us that they have to begin erecting the show in mid-September. He isn't sure how many lights are up as they've expanded through the years, but one of the candle displays alone has 16,000 bulbs.
There are a lot of patriotic displays.
They also do religious vignettes. Six scenes, using custom mannequins depicting the life of Jesus from birth to resurrection.
Admission is free, as is parking. If the first area is filled, additional parking can be found behind the Old Country store.
The store sells cold drinks, Christmas decor, novelties and homemade icebox fruit cakes. What it is probably best known for is the over 300 varieties of old-fashioned and Christmas candies that fill the open barrels. Incidentally, if you are diabetic, they also carry 20 varieties that are sugar free.
To the right of the Country Store is the train station. They have three mini trains that run continuously, covering 10 acres. Enclosed on three sides, the train is remarkably warm, even on the coldest nights (I imagine it was in the low 40s while we were there). It also has wide, low openings and roomy seats to accommodate everyone, including senior citizens that may have difficulty with mobility.
Much to my surprise, there were hundreds of visitors braving the cold right along with us last night. As we returned to our car, a bus of church kids emptied out on to the lot. If you should plan a visit soon, my understanding is it is forecasted to warm up. Tickets for the train are $2.00 each.
While we were on our train ride, a young girl, that looked to be eight or nine, sat two seats ahead of us. She was simultaneously overwhelmed and delighted by the light show, twisting her head this way and that, giving anyone around her a running commentary. It went on for several minutes. Couldn't get upset with her. Her enthusiasm was infectious.
Bethany?: (without taking a single breath) Oh, look at the train and the snowman and the toy soldier and the Santa....
Bethany's mom: (exasperated warning) Bethany.
Bethany: ....and the reindeer. Momma, look at the Fourth of July flag and the gingerbread house and the race car.....
Bethany's mom: Calm down, Bethany.
Bethany: ...and the horse and the peacock and, look, a pig. The polar bear. He just threw a snowball. Did you see that? Goodness gracious!
The 'goodness gracious; totally cracked me up. Sorry these pictures aren't better. My camera has a tough time with low light.
A lot of the displays were interactive. The jack-in-the-box, for example, would throw a toy Pooh bear that would follow a pulsing arc and 'splash' down into the nearby illuminated open honey pot.
They seemed to group displays. The backside was fairytale/winter wonderland complete with gingerbread houses, animated bears and whatnot. One portion was dedicated to aviation, motor sports and transportation in general. The outside right looked to focus on country/western and outdoor pursuits like fishing, steer roping, etc. It was next to impossible to shoot photos from the train.
To the right of the train station are more restrooms, a 16-horse carousel (fully enclosed) and a refreshment stand serving hot sandwiches, hotdogs, drinks and other concessions. We didn't see any item over $2.00.
All in all, a really neat place in a kitschy kind of way. Somewhere we'll consider visiting again next year. Click here to launch a short video on Meadow Lights.