Virginia agriculture will play a starring role in a new holiday show at The Meadow Event Park. The Illuminate Light Show & Santa’s Village, which will open Nov. 14 and run through Jan. 3, 2015, is a holiday light display created with nearly a million LED lights and set to music.
Along with the twinkling trees along the drivable route, there will be Virginia-grown Christmas trees for sale starting Nov. 28. The lot at The Meadow will feature fresh-cut Fraser firs and fresh wreaths and garlands, as well as tree stands.
Santa’s Village will house trees decorated by the three winners in the State Fair of Virginia’s Christmas tree decorating competition. Additionally, a Virginia agricultural commodity-themed tree will be on display; that tree will feature ornaments collected byVirginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Program participants across the state. County Farm Bureau women’s committees in more than 20 localities donated ornaments that highlight products like corn, peanuts and soybeans or feature other aspects of farming, like cows and tractors.
“We wanted a tree that would highlight the diverse agricultural commodities raised across Virginia,” said Sherri McKinney, Illuminate spokesperson. “This has been a fun way to promote Virginia agriculture.”
Those visiting the light show will spend about 30 minutes driving through the lights. Afterward, they can park and visit Santa’s Village, which includes farm animals in neighboring Prancer’s Pasture.
On four Thursday evenings—Nov. 20 and 27 and Dec. 4 and 11—guests can taste Virginia wines and craft beers. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 24, Santa’s Village will include horse-drawn wagon rides and a European-style holiday market featuring Virginia arts and crafts.
Event details and advance tickets are available at IlluminateLightShow.com.