YAKIMA, Wash.- The fourth year of the Holiday Light Festival is upon us! The drive-through light show is open through December 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. everyday.
What started in 2020 to find a way for families to celebrate the holidays during the COVID-19 pandemic, is now turning into a yearly habit.
I think this is going to be a Yakima tradition from now on,” says Marlo McCrea, the Programming Director of State Fair Park. “I really, really do. Every year we’re building it bigger and better and adding more things.”
This year’s new roundup includes appearances from Frosty the Snowman and his friends, a Polar Express themed section of the route and a new giveaway.
One person who visits the Light Fest will get their December power bill paid for if they scan a QR code found in the lights.
Along the route, there’s plenty to see, including interactions from some of your favorite Christmas characters.
“Well, I made a kid cry!” said The Grinch. “First of the season! Many more to come! Some grandmas came in, I love the grandmas you know how it goes but other than that it’s just been a fun night.”
With over 25 miles of lights strung across the venue, the State Fair Park has spent months putting together the festival.
“We start right after fair closes,” says McCrea. “It takes a bit to string all these lights and plug them all in and make sure everything is working properly. There’s a big crew that puts this together, a really mighty crew that really love what they’re doing.”
McCrea says they call the crew members “State Fair elves” for their work to put on the event. The Programming Director takes her family through the route multiple times each season, to get into the holiday spirit.
“To be able to just take a moment, and pack up the car and look at all of these beautiful lights and just see all the neat things, play some contests and make these memories together,” says McCrea. “We all grow up so fast, our kiddos grow up so fast so these types of things are really important.”
To see the Holiday Light Fest, use Gate 15 by the baseball stadium for general admission which costs $15 per car. For Fast Pass, bus, limo or RV entrance, use Gate 1.
On December 11, drivers can get into the show for free with a new and unwrapped toy donation to go to the Salvation Army. On December 14, a portion of each admission will go to the Yakima Humane Society.
