Clearbrook light show becoming family tradition
Clearbrook officials return for their fourth year of hosting the Wonderland of Lights display at Arlington Park, and this much they know: families are building it into their holiday celebrations.
"We know we're getting these cars back," says Gloria Drake, Clearbrook's special events coordinator. "We've been getting calls about it, so we know that it's becoming a tradition for many families."
Which is exactly what the agency, which serves children and adults with disabilities, was hoping for when they launched the light show in 2004.
"It's another way to get our name out there," Drake adds. "Any time you can combine family traditions with Clearbrook, it's a good thing. We're thrilled."
This year's light show opened on Thanksgiving Day and runs through Jan. 1, 2009. Admission is $10 per car during the week and $12 per car, Fridays through Sundays. A $2 coupon is available at www.Clearbrook.org.
Since its inception, Clearbrook officials figure the display has drawn an average of 10,000 cars during its six-week run.
Proceeds from the animated display help Clearbrook serve nearly 3,000 children and adults with disabilities across northern Illinois. Some of its specialized services include children's early intervention therapies, and day training, employment, residential and clinical services for adults.
This year's show features some 300 displays in all and more than 1 million sparkling lights, playing out over a 1.6-mile course on the grounds of Arlington Park.
One of its new scenes features skateboarding elves, while the world's largest light tunnel returns, with its 150,000 lights measuring 600 feet by 300 feet.
Other highlights include "Teddy Bear Land," which was new last year, as well as the return of a gingerbread man jumping on a trampoline. Seasonal displays include a Nativity scene to accompany the Kwanza, menorah and Star of David representations.
Additional entertainment includes a collection of holiday music and greetings, prepared specifically for the show by Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart, morning show co-hosts on 101.9 FM The Mix.
Officials with Winterland, based in Marion, Ind., install the drive-through light show ever year, and by extension comes their corporate philosophy of creating magical holiday displays, that "make the lights dance."
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> Clearbrook's 4th annual Wonderland of Lights drive-through show </p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 5:30-10 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, through Dec. 15, and 5:30-9 p.m. Sundays, daily shows Dec. 15-Jan. 1</p> <p class="News"><b>Where: </b>Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave. in Arlington Heights </p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $10 per car during the week and $12 per car, Fridays through Sundays. $2 coupon available at <a href="http://www.Clearbrook.org" target="new">www.Clearbrook.org</a></p>