Holiday Road: Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake is a cost-efficient but still memorable way to enjoy the holiday season

From the Santa Claus barbequing light scene to the stop motion snowmen smiling and waving at me, Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake on Longview Road was nothing short of magical, and didn’t cost a penny besides donations.

With at least 200 different light displays, this tradition put on by Johnson County Parks and Recreation made me feel nostalgic. Each individual light piece felt homemade and put together for a winter wonderland. The lights felt straight out of a childhood coloring book, making me feel like I was sitting in the middle seat between my two older sisters driving around looking at lights like we did when I was younger.

As my dad drove up the road, Mariah Carey singing “All I want For Christmas is You” playing in the background, my mom and I saw warning posts in the ground that the light show started in 0.2 miles. I was slightly nervous because there was no trace of lights through the trees. I should have known to never doubt Johnson County Parks and Rec.

After seeing various elf signs directing my dad through the trees, I saw the first set of lights in an assortment of glowing balls that led to a 20-foot archway kicking off the show. Suddenly, the windshield lit up with green, red and purple. I didn’t even want to look down to change the song in my car — I mean with Candyland on my right and a field of reindeers on my left, who would want to?

There was a beaming array of varying displays all around me. Section by section, different holiday elements ranging from snowflakes to the New Years Eve ball drop were featured. Each decoration seamlessly stayed on theme — what is a beach without Santa rocking in a hammock?

I sipped my McDonalds hot cocoa to indulge in the full experience.

The drive featured various action scenes like a skier lighting up at the top of the hill and skiing down. The details easily gave Candycane Lane a run for its money as every scenario was carried out to the fullest extent. It wasn’t a typical “tune into 95.6 and listen to the show…” So much was happening that a radio station wouldn’t have been able to keep up.

My favorite part was Santa taking off in a plane on the runway, eventually high in the trees waving to the cars through a series of lights. In close second was a present that was launched into soldiers that consequently fell over.

There were different scenes that would make anyone feel like they were sitting by a warm fireplace. Whether you were driving through a sledding hill or penguins on icebergs, everyone in the car had a favorite — my dad appreciated the BBQ Santa while my mom enjoyed the plane runway.

Another feature that made it feel like a blare from the past was seeing all the younger kids sticking their heads out the window or taking turns looking out of the sunroof. When I was little the order went from oldest to youngest to peak out the top.

Near the end of the drive, we passed a booth that was taking donations (Yes, that’s right. This wonderland of lights is completely free!) where drivers and those in the car had the chance to share some holiday spirit with 40 charities that the donations go to.

While other light shows are priced at $30 and only getting more expensive, Longview is an accessible option for families that might not want to spend much money on a light show.

It also proved how the project was a labor of love, as the Parks and Rec Crew built the long stretch of glowing spirit in the hopes that it could make a difference in the community. 

That made me feel even more spirited than the chocolate, music and maybe even the lights.