Friday, Dec. 5, 2003 | 4:59 a.m.
WEEKEND EDITION Dec. 6 - 7, 2003
What: Gift of Lights Holiday Drive-Through Spectacular.
When: 5-10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, 5-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, through Jan. 4.
Where: Sunset Park, at Eastern Avenue and Sunset Road.
Cost: $12 Friday through Sunday; $10 Monday through Thursday. $2 off with a bag of gently used clothing to donate to the Goodwill or a toy to Toys For Tots.
It takes a lot of lighting to impress the average resident of an area known for its use of neon.
This is something Meehan and Associates Ltd. kept in mind when they brought the "Gift of Lights Holiday Drive-Through Spectacular," presented by U.S. Bank, to Sunset Park three years ago. The event is co-sponsored by Clark County Parks and Community Services.
In 2001 Las Vegas was one of only a few cities of its size that did not have a drive-through holiday light show, said Brenda Meehan, spokeswoman for Meehan and Associates. Meehan was ready to bring some holiday spirit to the city.
Her efforts brought more than 50 light displays and 1 million lights to Sunset Park. It attracted more than 60,000 people that first year.
Although it proved successful, residents were hungry for more, and the company took action.
This year the "Gift of Lights" has more than 120 holiday light displays and 4 million lights incorporated throughout the drive-through.
"One of the things we do is really listen to what people had to say," Meehan said. "We took note and added new light arches, more filler and an extra light tunnel."
Meehan said guests were given surveys at the end of the light tour last year asking what they would like to see more of this Christmas.
One of the most requested things was another light tunnel, Meehan said.
At the end of the tour vehicles slowly drive through a tunnel constructed of sparkling lights that flash in different patterns. Due to popular demand a second tunnel was added this year at the beginning of the tour.
But that's not the only thing bringing locals back, Meehan said.
"We're doubling the amount of lights every year," she said. "This is our biggest light show ever, and people are really embracing the growth. People are saying 'Wow, it really is bigger,' and we enjoy that."
Visitors can drive through sparkling arches with snowflakes and frogs appearing to jump over as they pass, along with animated light displays of gingerbread men, the 12 days of Christmas and even Elvis, shaking his hips.
The drive-through takes about 20 minutes. The "Gift of Lights" also has a special holiday radio channel, Ho Ho Ho radio, for attendees to listen to as they view the lights.
Thursday through Sunday, Boy Scouts serve hot cocoa and apple cider to passing vehicles, Meehan said. The proceeds are used to send the Boy Scouts to camp, she said.
Several charities also benefit from the light show.
Goodwill of Southern Nevada was chosen as the charity of choice for this year's event. A $2 off coupon is available when residents donate gently used items to Goodwill either at the event or at any Goodwill retail or donation center.
"This event has proven to be great fun for the entire family and we are very proud and excited to be involved," said Steve Chartrand, president and CEO of Goodwill of Southern Nevada. "Last year we had over 5,000 people donate their gently used items at this event, making this our largest donation drive annually."
Chartrand said the donations are already 10 percent ahead of last year's. The donations help support training, employment and job placement services for people with disabilities and other special needs.
"This year alone, Goodwill will train more than 600 people and will place approximately 100 people into new careers," he said.
A donation center is set up at the entrance of the "Gift of Lights." A collector said Monday evening that at least one out of every five cars has a drop-off.
Other charities that benefit include the Clark County Parks and Community Services Scholarship Fund, Toys For Tots, Sunrise Children's Foundation, Miracle Flights for Kids, U.S. Marines, Nellis Air Force Base Volunteers, Opportunity Village and Nevada Health Centers.
Meehan said the event would also donate more than 1,000 tickets to less fortunate individuals and children.
"Through this, we get to help out charities and bring some holiday tradition to the city," Meehan said. "People come with their grandparents, friends and family and sing songs together. Everyone loves the 12 days of Christmas display."
The event is presented by U.S. Bank and other local sponsors who make the light display possible, Meehan added. The light displays are built and run by volunteers, she said.
"We couldn't have done it without our volunteers," Meehan said. "The lights were set up in mid-October by a crew of volunteers busy as elves working every single day from sunup until sundown to get the job done."
Cars lined up Monday evening to donate clothes and see the lights.
Cameron Allyn, 43, brought her mother and two children to see the lights.
"We came out here last year," Allyn said. "We had just moved from Boston and missed all the holiday lights we used to see there. We heard about this and came out, but it's much bigger this year. It's nice to be able to listen to the music and see all the lights to get into the holiday spirit."
Allyn's 11-year-old daughter, Emily, said she liked the dancing Elvis display the most.
"I like how he shakes his hips like he's dancing," she said. "The tunnel at the end is really fun. It makes me dizzy."
Anthony Bolin parked his car inside the sparkling tunnel to get a longer view.
"The tunnel is everyone's favorite," he said. "We came the past two years and the tunnel is the part where we really slow down and say 'Wow,' so I decided this year we'd just park and get a longer look. Every year it gets bigger and is something we look forward to."
Meehan said she plans to make next year's light show even bigger.
"We grow every year and we're here to stay," she said. "We will always have new surprises every year."
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