Wappapello Festival of Lights opens Friday

The Annual Festival of Lights Christmas Auto Tour at Redman Creek Campground, Highway T, Wappapello, is celebrating it 30th anniversary this year.

The free event will open weekends only Nov. 25-Dec. 11 from 5-9 p.m. The tour will be open nightly Dec. 16-25 from 5-9 p.m.

Natural Resources Specialist/Park Ranger Andrew Jefferson said, “I’ve been around since day one.

“The event used to be on the west side of the campground, but because of its popularity and growth, we had to move it to the east side where it’s located now,” Jefferson said.

Initially, the festival was a partnership with the Wappapello Lions Club and the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

“The Lions Club dwindled down and eventually went away, but they provided seed money for the Wappapello Lake Area Association to keep it going,” Jefferson said. “So the association has been involved about five years. They will be accepting donations as they do every year. The money received is put back into the event and the donations are used for the big fireworks display in July. They also pay for other interpretive programs we have at the lake. The money is being reinvested back into the area. Donations are welcomed.”

Association volunteers and Park Rangers will take donations nightly. Plus, they’ll be providing candy canes to everyone who drives through.

Approximately 250,000 lights will transform this campground into a winter wonderland that will help to bring in the Holiday Spirit. Local businesses and individuals decorate sites with as many lights as possible.

“It’s an awesome event and we encourage folks to come out,” Jefferson said. “It’s a great family oriented event people can view from the comfort of their own vehicles. We encourage folks not to get out and walking around at night. Stay in your vehicles and drive through.”

There’s also a voting system set up where people will be able to vote on the best decorated site. Visitors will get their voting papers as they drive into the park and they can vote on which site they feel is the best decorated. People can drive back through to look at another. The winner receives the People’s Choice Award.

Last year, Patriot Auto Glass came in first. Faith Baptist Church came in second andChaonia Volunteer Fire Department got third place.

“We’re looking for participants from the parade in Poplar Bluff Dec. 2 who have floats in the parade,” Jefferson said. “If they would like to bring their floats out and have them on display as part of this event, they’re more than welcome to do so. They can contact us at the office, and we’d be more than happy to set up a spot for them. We can be reached at 573-222-8562. They can ask for Andrew Jefferson, or Park Ranger Alyssa Moss-Davis.”

River Radio station has been partnering with this event for several years. They provide Christmas music from the day the event starts all the way up until the end, which is Dec. 25.