Walk-thru display features more than 2 million lights
Need to walk off the traditional Thanksgiving meal laden with thousands of calories? Go no farther than the Lions Club Fairgrounds, where the ongoing Holiday Lights of Ellijay is in its second year with proceeds going to a worthy cause.
The walk-thru display lasts until New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31, with Christmas Eve and the night of Christmas Day excepted. Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 6-9 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays, 6-10 p.m.
David Pitts, the co-founder and co-owner of Holiday Lights of Georgia with business partner Mark Lallathin, revealed how the displays in four northwest Georgia cities featuring multiple millions of lights got started.
“My business partner and I were both in the corporate world for 20-plus years, and we both served on the board of directors of the Anna Crawford Children’s Center, and it needed a fundraiser,” he said. The center works with children impacted by abuse and exposed to violence.
“So there was nothing like a light show anywhere in the area — the closest one was at Lake Lanier Islands, and it was very corporate, very expensive,” Pitts continued. “So we created a light show in Woodstock that would be more family-budget friendly, but still a great show. We did that 15 years ago, and thought that would be it, right? This is just what we were going to do for Christmas.”
Then Cherokee County government officials called and asked them to do another light show in the north part of the county at a new park — and the drive-thru Holiday Lights at Veterans Park in Canton was born. Another charity was chosen for that show.
Pitts said Kent Sanford of Ellijay talked to them six or seven years ago about doing a Christmas light show in Ellijay.
“We couldn’t find a location, but last year in March he called and said I think we’ve got a location for you,” Pitts shared. “So we came up and looked at it, thought it would be great and struck an agreement with the Lions Club to do it.”
The Holiday Lights of Ellijay show features more than 2 million lights, and unlike Veterans Park in Canton, it is a walking Christmas show with over 100 animated displays, a 150-foot walk-thru tunnel and a maze made out of over 1 mile of lights (if strung them end to end).
“We have Santa Claus every night, vendors for seasonal gifts and concessions with items like hot chocolate,” said Pitts. He pointed out the Ellijay light show benefits the Appalachian Children’s Center, which has a similar mission to the Anna Crawford Center but serves children and families in Gilmer, Fannin and Pickens counties.
Pitts was asked about the focus on veterans with the names of each U.S. military branch emblazoned with lights like flags.
“That’s important to us,” he replied. “You’ve got a corner there that is dedicated to our armed services and first responders with some automated displays — fire trucks, ambulances and police cars.”
There is also a Holiday Lights of Rome, started last year as well.
“We’ve got the four shows, but Mark and I never set out to do this (many),” said Pitts. “We want to keep it family- and community-friendly. We are not a large corporation of any sort, so our goal is to provide a great show supporting great charities but at a good family-friendly price.”
Sanford, of Ellijay, noted it took several years to find the best location for the show.
“Last year’s show, also at the Lions Club Fairgrounds, was fantastic,” he enthused. “They have worked diligently over the last several months to make this year’s show even better, and I’m excited to take my family back.”
Sanford said making the Appalachian Children’s Center a beneficiary is “a blessing … and wonderful selection” because of their mission of helping traumatized young people (appalachianchildrensctr.org).
“Please come out and enjoy this year’s show and support this special charity with their important work,” he said.
See the Holiday Lights!
﹣ What? Holiday Lights of Ellijay
﹣ When? Now through Dec. 31 (only closing for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), Sunday-Thursday, 6-9 p.m.; Fridays & Saturdays, 6-10 p.m.
﹣ Where? Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 S. Main St., Ellijay
﹣ Cost? $10 for adults; free to kids 12 and under