Ashland's 21st annual Winter Wonderland of Lights in prep stages

ASHLAND -- It's not only spirits that will be bright in Ashland this holiday season, but the annual Winter Wonderland of Lights at Central Park will shine brighter than ever before.

Now in its 21st season, the WWOL committee has carried on the tradition of adding new pieces to the lights display, including a grist mill and elves jumping over a candlestick, but has turned its focus to making the display more pleasing on the eyes.

"WWOL is in the process of replacing the old C7 bulbs with the new LED bulbs. The older bulbs' cost is between 21 and 25 cents per bulb. The LED bulbs range, per bulb from $1 to $1.25. Not including the new displays with LED bulbs, the committee has spent approximately $6,200 purchasing the LED bulbs," said Paula Mayo, a member of the WWOL committee.

Though the lights display does not kick off until Nov. 16, events associated with the WWOL start Saturday, Nov. 7, with the third annual beauty pageant. Other activities include the opening night ceremony on Nov. 16; train rides on the Winter Wonderland Express beginning Nov. 20 (weekends only through Dec. 20); the annual Christmas parade Nov. 24; visits with Santa in the Log House beginning Nov. 26 (weekends only through Dec. 20); the Boyd and Greenup counties Home and Business Decorating Contests Dec. 12-20; and Breakfast with Santa Dec. 5 at First Christian Church.

"A lot of the Winter Wonderland of Lights is tradition. In fact, this year we have a girl helping us work on lights who said she remembers coming to see the lights as a child herself," Mayo said. "Families come every year. New people in the area always visit the park. It's just a good, free, family event that people have come to treasure year after year."

The lights display can be viewed Nov. 16 through Jan. 1 from dusk to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and dusk to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Businesses, churches and more are invited to design a card for display in the lights festival's "Christmas Card to the Community."

"It was so successful last year, it will be an annual event," Mayo said.

For more information and a detailed schedule of events, including registration and application forms and a flyer on "Breakfast with Santa," visit winterwonderlandoflights.com or call the Ashland Alliance Chamber of Commerce at 606-324-5111.