I am sorry if this is a mundane question for this forum. I visit frequently to find out more info on one of my favorite places in the world! When do employees start putting up all those lights and how long does it usually take? Thanks!
I once heard August but it could actually be even sooner. I do know that it takes them all the way up to the opening of the Christmas Festival to get all the lights up though. It's a lot of work.
I can only imagine. Last year when my family and I were there, I paid special attention to how they were put up. They were so level! Is there one person who oversees it all or does everyone just kind of "do their thing"?
There's a team of about six guys that spend something like 8 weeks or more doing nothing but put up Christmas lights. Conductor Sam had a great blog post about it last year, but it's long gone now. We have some old photos somewhere around from last year's Christmas preparations; I'll have to try and find them.
I've noticed the lights are starting to really take a tole on some of the buildings. The train station is pretty much covered in holes from the staples.
^I know they were already putting them up in early September this year. It must get really tiring year after year for those who put up the lights and take them down. You mentioned the toll on the buildings; I wonder if they've toyed with the idea of leaving some of them up year-round on buildings like the train station, that are showing a lot of wear and tear from the staples?
I've never visited SDC outside of late Spring, Summer, or early Autumn, so I have to ask: how does all this lighting fit with the theme? I know the obvious answer, which is that it doesn't fit with 1880 at all, but does anyone care?
^Obviously the lighting and the "technicolor" Christmas tree doesn't fit with the theme. The rest of the Old Time Christmas festivities (the shows and music) does for the most part. The tree and lighting are a big draw, and I don't think most people care that it doesn't fit the 1880's theming. Old Time Christmas is one of the most, if not the most, popular festivals for SDC.
I agree that the lights do not fit in with the theme of the park and that they are taking a toll on several buildings. I have to say, though, that the lights are incredible. In fact, that is why I brave the elements. I love Christmas and my kids say I go into a little trance when we go to the park during that time. All that seems to come out of my mouth is "look at that" when we go. Except when I am on the Powderkeg and that gets a more vocal response! We are going in mid-November this year and we can't wait.
Also, the park wasn't built to be a dark park... so at night those extra lights really help light up the place... during moonlight madness i quickly found this out while walking around... it's dark! when there are no christmas lights lighting the way.
I guess they could hang candles in the trees, but can you imagine lighting them all? And to try to do a syncopated music show with candles would be impossible.
I don't think Christmas trees themselves were in vogue during the time period, so the trees would all have to go, as well. Of course, if we think about it, Christmas is timeless...
I could have sworn some of them were up all year this year...
In action!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/haterpotater/2937386794/in/set-72157607982552067/
Yes, Christmas lights are not 1880s, but they are part of the magic of Christmas. I can allow them; they are reminiscent of candle light. Christmas trees were a part of a Victorian Christmas thanks to Prince Albert.
^^I do love the Christmas lights! Thanks for the photo, sonthew! :)
QuoteChristmas trees were a part of a Victorian Christmas thanks to Prince Albert.
Yes, but they were not brought into the American tradition until much later. Having said that, they must, along with the lights, be a part of the SDC tradition. Without the trees and lights, the park would have virtually no unique feel during the holiday season.
Kind of off subject but, does anyone remember the first couple of years and how limited the access was in the park? You definitely could not go everywhere. I also rememebr the snow machine and and the sled rides.
I was wrong, Christmas trees were found in American homes as early as the 1810s. By the 1850s most well-to-do families had incorporated them into their holiday celebrations. The Victorian period brought elaborate decorations to the trees. The first tree decorated with electric light bulbs belonged to an Edward Johnson in 1882. So, it is a stretch, but electric lights are "period" friendly to SDC. lol
Thanks for that info! That is awesome to know!
Quote from: History Buff on October 21, 2008, 05:11:39 PM
Yes, but they were not brought into the American tradition until much later. Having said that, they must, along with the lights, be a part of the SDC tradition. Without the trees and lights, the park would have virtually no unique feel during the holiday season.
The folks that I used to pal around with at Legendary U (former home of the Herschends) once took me to a small room in the house with french doors. This room was very important to Mary Herschend as it was where their Christmas tree was decorated. One tradition the family had based on their Scandinavian heritage was to have Mary reveal the tree on Christmas Eve (I believe) but keep it hidden in this little room so no one could peek until then.
I think the tradition of the Christmas tree and lights are very fitting for Silver Dollar City.
Quote from: mike_kelly87 on November 11, 2008, 10:30:53 PM
Kind of off subject but, does anyone remember the first couple of years and how limited the access was in the park? You definitely could not go everywhere. I also rememebr the snow machine and and the sled rides.
Yes, I remember all of that. I think the snow machine and sled rides were only for the first year, but I could be wrong.
^Correct.
I've posted some of the lights from this years festival on my flickr account! Check it out! http://www.flickr.com/photos/23797713@N04/sets/72157609456886421/
^They look great! I really hope I get to go this year.
^^Ah, it's so comforting to see the city decked out for the season! :)
Thanks for the pics!
"Most Christmasy Places in America" on the Travel Channel features Branson and SDC. The segment makes the first 10 minutes of the show and does a good job of capturing the season in our neck of the woods. It's just a shame Branson couldn't have taken the whole hour. Catch the show if you can.
Quote from: History Buff on December 14, 2008, 05:10:35 PM
"Most Christmasy Places in America" on the Travel Channel features Branson and SDC. The segment makes the first 10 minutes of the show and does a good job of capturing the season in our neck of the woods. It's just a shame Branson couldn't have taken the whole hour. Catch the show if you can.
Wow, Travel Channel's website is a huge piece of crap. Searching for the show produces a summary, but no link to a show schedule. Checking their schedule lets me see the show on 12/10, but clicking the title produces nothing at all, least of all a list of times it can be seen.
Sorry about that, KBC. I just happened across the show. I don't just spend time looking for shows that feature SDC. In fact, I wouldn't recommend DVRing the thing - but if you're sitting at home with nothing to do, and you see the show on the menu, click over to it and watch the first 10 minutes.
The Travel Channel is showing the "Most Christmasy Places in America" on
12/17 8 AM, 4 PM, 10 PM
12/20 3 PM
Actually, we did DVR it so we could see it. ;D
Merry Christmas,
Just set my DVR...
It really is an amazing about of lights, I'm always so surprised and Impressed at the amount of detail that the lights cover.
Wrapped up for the season, it seems they could have put a light scene in Echo Hollow since it is now so much more visible from the back porch of the C&A bldg. I had no idea they put it under wraps like this.
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii154/MrHoggatt/Silver%20Dollar%20City/Christmas/100_5445.jpg)
^Man I wish they would move the water / laser / fireworks show from CC to this location
It would work there, but I would have a hard time seeing the lasers at SDC. I'm hoping it will remain in a revamped CC as an evening show, much in the same way the water/fire show attracts people to B. Landing. I'm really surprised they don't bring in any more touring performers and charge separate admission to Echo Hollow.
I still want them to do ROCKtober Fest during the Harvest Festival.
They could bring in Christian Rock Bands and the youth group kids would eat it up.
Reliant K, NEWSboys, MERCYme, etc.
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii154/MrHoggatt/Silver%20Dollar%20City/Christmas/100_5452.jpg)
^The GIANT Swing looks great. Thanks for the pic!
Quote from: History Buff on December 14, 2008, 05:10:35 PM
"Most Christmasy Places in America" on the Travel Channel features Branson and SDC. The segment makes the first 10 minutes of the show and does a good job of capturing the season in our neck of the woods. It's just a shame Branson couldn't have taken the whole hour. Catch the show if you can.
I caught the first ten minutes and both SDC and Branson received some nice publicity. It was very favorable.