Bright nights at Clearbrook's Wonderland of Lights

For the third straight year, Clearbrook returns to host its Wonderland of Lights at Arlington Park.

The holiday light show -- that features 100 animated scenes and plays out over a 1.6-mile course -- opens at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, and continues every night at the same time through New Year's Day.

Last year's display drew nearly 11,000 cars, Clearbrook officials say, or something like 40,000 people over its six week run.

"We're trying to build a tradition, that we think offers something of real value to families over the holidays," says Stacey Sturner, Clearbrook communications vice president. "It's a community event, that is a wonderful way to spread the Clearbrook name."

Crews worked all last week setting up the intricate display, while Kathy Hart, from the Eric & Kathy Show on The MIX 101.9 FM, recorded music and commentary to accompany the light scenes.

Officials with Winterland, based in Marion, Ind., install drive-through light shows like this one all over the country, but they describe this light park as one of the largest they design.

"It's one of the top 10 in the country," says David Fred, president.

For starters, the show features a half million more lights than last year, or about 3 million lights. New scenes include "Teddy Bear Land," set up along Salt Creek Road, as well as a new Nativity scene, to accompany its Kwanza, menorah and Stars of David, displays.

Patrons also will see a custom display that coordinates with the Sheraton Chicago Northwest's CoCo Key Water Resort -- one of the light show sponsors -- featuring its whimsical parrot mascot.

The park also will launch some new state-of-the-art designs, including a gingerbread man jumping on a trampoline.

"The animation is quite intricate," Fred says.

At the same time, families will find many of the more popular displays they enjoyed seeing the last two years, including the holiday scenes, only with some enhanced components.

They include the 12 Days of Christmas, the Night Before Christmas, reindeer flight school, holiday fairy tale lane, an enchanted fountain, and the Victorian holidays.

Another section that returns after drawing positive feedback last year, is the large fairy-tale themed displays. They feature "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater," "The Old Lady That Lived in the Shoe," and "Cat and the Fiddle."

New this year, as far as Clearbrook officials are concerned, are its community nonprofit partners.

A total of 34 charities, school groups and local organizations have lined up to partner with Clearbrook on the light show. They are distributing community vouchers, which when turned in at the gate, will earn each one a percentage of the entry fee, from Clearbrook.

Proceeds from the seasonal display will help "illuminate the lives" of the more than 2,900 children and adults with disabilities, served by Clearbrook each year.

If you go

What: Wonderland of Lights

Where: Arlington Park racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid, Arlington Heights

When: Thursday through Jan. 1.

Hours 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and from 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Cost: $10 per car Monday-Thursday ($2 coupon at www.clearbrook.org, click on "events"); $12 per car Friday-Sunday

Call: (847) 577-HOHO