Evans Towne Center Park is dressed up and ready for the holiday season.
Columbia County officials gave sponsors a sneak peek of the lights’ display at the park Monday.
“Almost all of the lights’ displays are new,” said Janet Wheatley, Columbia County’s programs and events manager.
The 12-acre site has about 100 different displays including a light tunnel, Santa playing golf and a military tribute.
Evans on Ice is located in the midst of the displays to add to the winter celebration. The ice skating rink opened Nov. 14. For times and prices, visit evansonice.com.
The centerpiece of the park display is a 50-foot-tall tree with 10,000 feet of lights, which was switched on for a few minutes Monday to allow sponsors to catch a glimpse. The official lighting will be on Dec. 4 as part of the Christmas in Columbia County event which begins at 2 p.m. that Sunday.
Christmas in Columbia County will feature pictures with Santa, Christmas music, the Christmas parade and will culminate with the Christmas tree lighting and fireworks.
Wheatley said the exact time of the lighting will depend on the parade’s conclusion.
The tree lights are synced with music which will be played on a loop.
Wheatley estimates between 80,000 and 100,000 people will visit the park to view the lights during the season.
For those who enjoy Christmas lights and visiting neighborhoods to see yard displays, another Christmas Light Fight is scheduled for this year, according to Cassidy Harris, Columbia County’s public relations manager.
Registration for participants is already closed for this year, and people will be able to start voting Dec. 1.
Also, Christmas light routes will be posted on the website to give people an idea of where to travel in the area to see lights’ displays.
Harris said it was popular last year with people adding lots of locations. She estimated that if people had gone to all of the homes on the maps, it would’ve taken four hours to view them all.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the publisher of Augusta Good News. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com
