Mooseheart light show sets a record for number of visitors

The 2014 Mooseheart's Holiday Lights Show set a record for the number of visitors to view the lights displays.

The show, which was open Nov. 28-Dec. 31, was viewed by 10,133 carloads of visitors, more than 2,000 ahead of the previous-best of 8,100, established in 2012.

"You'd think that after five years, the word is out and the tradition has been established in families, that this is a great way to kick off the holiday season," Mooseheart Executive Director Gary Urwiler said.

Urwiler said this year's Holiday Lights Show averaged 298 cars per night through its 34-day run. The six nights when Santa Claus made an appearance at the Mooseheart Fieldhouse were the most popular, he said, but each day saw a steady stream of visitors to view the many lighted displays on a 1.8-mile loop through the campus.

"It was great working at the gate where people entered and left the show, hearing their stories about how this was their first time and how they enjoyed seeing the show this year," Urwiler said.

Santa Claus' visits saw a surge to 1,000 cars per night, Urwiler said. Santa Claus sat for free photos while crafts and activities took place in the field house. Free cookies and hot chocolate were served.

"That's a pretty remarkable number for the four-hour span the show is open on those nights," Urwiler said. "When you see families come to the field house at 6 p.m. and stay until 9 p.m. and enjoy the craft tables and bounce houses as well as Santa, it is really great to see."

Urwiler said the 2015 show is already planned, and will open Nov. 27 and continue to Dec. 31, meaning visitors will have 35 days to view the lights displays, and Santa Claus' visits are already scheduled for Dec. 11-13 and Dec. 18-20. Among things Urwiler said he hopes to introduce this year is a live Nativity scene.

"I think people like to take the opportunity to slow down for a bit during the holiday season," Urwiler said. "The bottom line is this was a great year for us to see sizable growth. It inspires us to continue this outreach, to invite people onto the campus and to let them see what lies beyond the gates."

Urwiler added that the public is invited to come to Mooseheart on March 28 for the Easter egg hunt, which is free and open to all children ages 8 and younger.