SMETHPORT — During this, the darkest time of the year, there is nothing like the joy of a few holiday lights to brighten the spirit. But what happens when you have more than just a few?
One display among dozens at Smethport’s Festival of Lights.
The folks in Smethport know and appreciate the beauty of a Christmas light. They will have more than 40 displays of them for visitors to enjoy during the Fifth Annual Festival of Lights, held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from now until Dec. 22 at the McKean County Fairgrounds along Route 46. It will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays.
The festival officially opened at the end of November, but preparations have been underway for much longer than that.
“Besides all the planning that goes into this, we have been hanging Christmas lights since the end of October,” said Mayer.
Smethport’s Festival of Lights is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 22.
All of the preparations are worth it, Mayer said, when she sees the joy on people’s faces as they come to experience the event.
“I especially love when the buses come with the elderly from the nursing homes,” said Mayer. “The happiness on their faces when they come to see the lights is something really special.”
This year’s festival will take visitors on a magical journey as they travel a path that winds its way through the fairgrounds. At one point, visitors will even drive under a tunnel of lights.
One display among dozens at Smethport’s Festival of Lights.
“Every once in a while the Grinch will run through the fairgrounds,” said Mayer. “And Santa has even been known to stop by.”
Local businesses sponsor some of the displays as part of a contest hosted by the Festival of Lights committee.
“We sponsor a contest where people can set up their own displays and win prize money,” said Mayer.
The rest of the lights are painstakingly put up by Festival of Lights volunteers. And they are always looking for more help.
“There are all kinds of ways to get involved; we are always looking for more help from the community,” Mayer said.“We need new volunteers who can bring new ideas.”
One display among dozens at Smethport’s Festival of Lights.
Anyone who would like to donate to the event or volunteer can contact the McKean County Fair Ground office at (814) 887-5361.
