Christmas Gift Guide 23: Prairie Lights

Last night my family attended Media Night at Prairie Lights and earlier in the week I had let Charlie know I had a event to attend on Thursday evening. Charlie let me know he didn’t want to attend the event. Being a mom of a teenager is so hard I’ve had to learn to pick my battels. In the past I would have demanded Charlie come instead I said its okay I will just ask your Aunt of she would like to come.

As the week went on Charlie asked me what the event was I would be attending I let Charlie know it was Prairie Lights and he would be missed but his dad could get his Hot Cheeto Corndog for dinner since Charlie wouldn’t be there. Mind you Charlie waits for this every year. Yesterday came and I began to get ready and Charlie’s friend B ie Bradley was here and he has gone with us in the past.

Charlie let Bradley know I was attending Prairie Lights but he wasn’t going. Bradley looked at Charlie and said okay what are we going to do. Charlie said we will go hang out at my grannies and visit our friends. They left and a hour later Charlie calls and says can we go with you. I laughed because I knew this was going to happen.

IB is living with his girlfriend Ghost who David and I hadn’t meet but being a mom I didn’t want to leave her out and bringing her would allow me to meet her. I asked B where Ghost and yes, that is her name was and he said at his house. B called her and asked me to explain where we were going. I shared Prairie Lights offers Tons of fun! Including a Two-mile drive through light park. Grab your favorite beverage and turn your lights down and look up Prairie Lights on Spotify to listen to Christmas Music and drive though the event. Remember to be courteous as cars may stop to get pictures but always remain in your car.

For those that want to get out of the car you must visit The Holiday Village, an (optional) out-of-car experience available about 3/4 through your route. Here you’ll find *light bites and carnival fare, great photo opps in front of the fireplace, photos with Santa, carnival rides, and a lighted strollable forest. (Holiday Village is also where you’ll find restroom facilities.) Make sure you leave plenty of time to walk the event and to take lots and lots of photos and don’t forget to go inside for the perfect Christmas Card photos.

Ghost said she would love to join us. Charlie and Bradley went upstairs to his room to get ready while we waited for David to come home. Then we went to pick up Ghost. I loved how well dressed she was and her manners was wonderful. Sharing the event with her was amazing because she didn’t mind riding the Merry Go Round with me.

Ghost loved taking pictures throughout the night and had fun seeing Santa at the event. We went and checked out the Food Booths and she asked for Chocolate Covered Strawberries and she was just like a little kid with them and loved them then her and David had to have a Grinch Funnel Cake for David and Barbie for Ghost.

Bradley and Ghost are living in a RV in his great-grandmother’s backyard only Ghost is working so they don’t have money to attend events nor do they have a way to get to them. Bringing them tonight was a blessing not only to them but me as well because Ghost is so much like my daughter it kept me from missing her. Ghost and Bradley was so excited to be able to have pictures taken together at the event that they can turn into Christmas Cards allowing them to have a Gift for there parents at Christmas.

Here is a tip for those with small children or people who can’t sit for long periods of time and don’t like being stuck in a car like Charlie. For shorter wait times, visit Monday-Thursday during the first two weeks of the event or the week between Christmas and New and Year’s Eve. I was able to take both my sons last night and Bradley’s fiancé which I never thought I would hear myself say and they’re planning on coming back with her little brother during the shorter wait times because he is 4.

PRO TIPS FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE:

● Pre-purchase of online tickets is highly recommended. Cash or credit cards are required for Photos with Santa or purchase of holiday concessions. Screenshot your ticket purchase; cell service can be slow in the park.

● Allow plenty of time to fully enjoy the park—at least 45 minutes on slower nights, and up to three hours on holidays and weekends.

● To take advantage of shorter lines, consider visiting Monday-Thursday during the first two weeks of the event or the week between Christmas and New and Year’s Eve. Longer lines and wait times are anticipated on weekends and holidays, and on weeknights once schools dismiss for winter break. Early arrival is encouraged—guests are welcome to begin queueing up as early as 5 p.m.

● No vehicles will be allowed in line after 10 pm or when the park reaches capacity for the evening, whichever comes first. Once your vehicle is established in line, however, you can be assured of admission—Prairie Lights will remain open until the last guest has had a chance to drive through and enjoy the full Prairie Lights experience.

● Make sure you have sufficient gas in your tank and have visited the restroom before getting in line.

● Follow Prairie Lights on social media for special offers (such as the annual Prairie Lights “Cyber Monday” ticket sale the Monday after Thanksgiving) and for inclement weather announcements.

● For an optimal experience, turn off your headlights once you enter the park. For holiday music to soundtrack your drive, check out the official Prairie Lights playlist, available on Spotify.