Discover Delmarva: Winterfest of Lights
Ocean City, Md.- Every year, the town of Ocean City takes over Northside Park to house the Winterfest of Lights. With their 32nd year underway, WMDT got an exclusive tour with Ocean City’s Special Events Manager Brenda Moore. She says, “It’s a very interactive experience. The whole family can take their time. You come in the door and stay for however long you please.”
Arriving at the park, you can warm up before venturing into the elements. With rides, decorations, a Christmas market, and a Christmas Tree competition, it’s easy to get into the spirit here. “It gives them something to do, you have some dinner, you come out here, you have some hot chocolate, and you walk around.”
This year, 78 new speakers play Christmas music throughout the park, and over 500 individual displays with 800,000 individual lights are present. How long does it take to set all of this up? Moore tells us, “Physically they start getting set up in September. By the time it’s set up we run our course and then January 1 tear down, it’s almost March before we’re finished with it.”
As you walk through the gate to the display. The field of lights offers a hands-on experience. “There’s a display where you push the button and you can change the colors on it as well.”
Walking towards the back of the park across the light-up path – keeps the show going beneath your feet as well. With something new to see every year, “We rotate our displays. So every year it’s not the same thing.”
A new part of the park opened adding a mile of walking paths to the festival. It’s home to a fan favorite returning to light up the night, “We have the twelve days of Christmas back, which hasn’t been back here for a while.”
The sheer size of these displays is impressive as it beautifully follow the classic Christmas song illuminating the field. Around the bend, a dynamic tunnel of lights leads you toward the next area of the park around the water. You’ll find some more rides, and bonfires to warm up. Plus, the coveted hot chocolate stand.
Displays glistened over the calm pond where you can catch a glimpse of the main attraction here at Winterfest. “We have a 50-foot tree which looks like it has been here before. But it’s completely reprogrammed to music and it does a whole show for you.”
Winterfest is open Wednesday through Sunday until December 22nd before they go to a daily schedule until the New Year. Admission is only six dollars and free for kids 11 and younger, with pets welcomed on Wednesdays. For more information on the event visit their website.
