The Winter Festival of Lights
November 5, 2008 - January 4, 2009
In 1985 a holiday tradition began at Oglebay and soon spread throughout the city of Wheeling. That tradition is the Winter Festival of Lights/City of Lights celebration. The first year, displays and landscape lighting covered 125 acres over a three-mile drive throughout the resort.
Since then the show has grown into one of the nation's largest, covering more than three hundred acres over a six-mile drive throughout the resort. The Winter Festival of Lights has been listed on the American Bus Association's Top International Events, was named as a top 100 event by Eventcrazy.com and was recently listed as one of the top 200 events in the country by Discover America.
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Cinderella makes her way to the ball. |
The Creators
World-renown landscape lighting expert Dick Bosch, a Netherlands resident, and the late Robert J. Otten, Wheeling Park Commission’s long-time creative director, were the creative talents behind Oglebay’s show. Bosch’s lighting expertise was needed to produce just the right lighting for trees and buildings. This is made more difficult in winter when the hardwoods are bare. “Winter calls for special rules in lighting,” said Bosch. “There is a play of light, shadow and silhouetting effects that must appear natural, and is more difficult to achieve in winter.” Bob Otten designed the first five displays for the 1985 opening and until his death in 2005 created nearly 50 additional displays.
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The Poinsettia Wreath is the festival's tallest display, standing close to sixty feet! |
About the Displays
Every year, several new displays are added. Favorites from previous years include the animated “Snowflake Tunnel,” a display that delights visitors as they drive through dozens of twinkling snowflakes, and the massive “Polyhedron Star,” which is emblazoned with over 2,000 lights and stands on the highest hilltop in Oglebay. Standing close to sixty feet tall and spanning fifty feet in diameter, the “Poinsettia Wreath and Candle,” display is the festival's tallest. Other display favorites include the “Candy Cane Wreath,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and “Willard the Snowman,” named for the TV weatherman Willard Scott who turned on the lights in 1986.
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Gardens of Lights debuts in 2007! |
NEW!!! Gardens Of Light
Making its grand debut this year is the Gardens of Light, as the hilltop and gardens area at Oglebay becomes a 4-season spectacle with 150 hanging baskets of light plus thousands of lighted flowers and trees, all animated and choreographed to distinctive holiday music. "Noted lighting engineer Carson Williams returned to the Winter Festival of Lights to orchestrate the animation of the hanging light baskets and lighted flowers," said Caren Knoyer, Marketing Director for Oglebay. "Carson created such an extraordinary show at our Good Zoo last year that we enlisted his talents again for this year's Gardens of Light."
The Gardens of Light tour begins with Carriage House Glass, featuring a large selection of decorative glass and other collectibles. Carriage House Glass is also home to the sparkling Oglebay Institute Glass Museum featuring an extensive collection of West Virginia glass and glassblowing demonstrations. The Gardens of Light continues next door to the Visitors' Center and Gourmet in the Gardens. Gourmet in the Gardens features gourmet and regionally produced food products, wine, confections, and custom gift baskets. Just outside the Visitors' Center lies the magical Christmas Tree Garden. Introduced in 2003, the Christmas Tree Garden consists of 30 live trees decorated with various colored lights. Nestled amid the Christmas Tree Garden is the Nativity Display. The life-size Nativity was designed and created by a local artist, and has been a much-loved display at the Winter Festival of Lights since 1985.
The red brick walking path leads from the Christmas Tree Garden to the Greenhouse, Palm Room and Garden Center Gift Shop, where visitors can find live holiday flowers, garden gifts and silk floral arrangements. Two brilliant tulip areas are located across from the Palm Room, featuring 100 lighted blooms. A 15-foot decorated tree sits just outside the Mansion Museum, the final stop on the Gardens of Light tour.
The 150 hanging baskets of light adorn the lampposts of the parking area from Carriage House Glass to the Mansion Museum, and also along the brick walking path from the Visitors' Center to the Mansion Museum. The exterior of the historic buildings in the Gardens of Light area are bathed in light, and the interior of the shops and the Mansion Museum are festively decorated.
Student Participation
In 2004, new displays included two special designs by area fourth grade students. These were the winners of a Festival of Lights "New Idea Contest", in which school children were asked to submit ideas for new structures. During the first year over 90 entries were submitted! The Lighthouse, " introduced to the show in 2006, was created by a local sixth grade student.
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You'll see Snoopy and the Peanuts gang throughout the driving tour. |
Peanuts
In 2000, the Peanuts comic strip characters were introduced to the Winter Festival of Lights. The gang can be seen in several different displays, including the directional arrows held by Snoopy, which help visitors navigate through the show. Oglebay was granted permission to illuminate these beloved characters through the generosity of Jean Schulz, wife of the late Charles Schulz, creator of Peanuts. They have remained a part of the show ever since.
The Good Zoo Lights up for You!
The Good Zoo lights up for you with a lighting and music extravaganza. Designed by noted lighting animation engineer Carson Williams, this dazzling show takes place nightly on the zoo patio with more than 35,500 lights choreographed to exciting holiday music. The zoo is also featuring its annual model train display at the state's largest O-Gauge Model Train Exhibit and the entertaining holiday laser shows at the zoo's Benedum Planetarium are annual favorites. Admission to the zoo is $6.50 for adults and $5.25 for children ages 3-12.
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The Carriage House Glass shop has a large selection of decorative and cut glass. |
Other Attractions
While you are waiting for the hillsides to illuminate, there is plenty to do and see at Oglebay. The Ihlenfeld Dining Room at Wilson Lodge offers a holiday buffet nightly and the family-friendly GlassWorks Grill at the lodge is open daily for lunch and dinner. The Winter Festival of Lights is also a special time at all seven of the Oglebay specialty shops. In addition to the Carriage House Glass, Gourmet in the Gardens, Palm Room and Garden Center shops in the Gardens of Light area, unique items are available at the Resort Shop at Wilson Lodge, Nature Express at the Good Zoo, and the Christmas Shop at the Speidel Golf Club. The Christmas Shop is open only during the Festival of Lights, and is bigger and better than ever. This expanded shop has a large selection of one-of-a-kind decorations, ornaments and holiday collectibles. All of Oglebay's specialty shops are fully stocked for the holiday season.
 Hours & Information
The Winter Festival of Lights is viewable nightly from dusk to 11pm Each vehicle is asked to make a one time donation, which remains valid for the entire festival season. Trolley tours are offered several times each night beginning at Wilson Lodge. Seats are only sold on the day of the tour, and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location
Oglebay, and the Winter Festival of Lights, is located 4 miles from I-70 at Exit 2A. It is 60 miles from Pittsburgh via I-79 south and I-70 west; 120 miles from Columbus via I-70 east; and 150 miles from Cleveland via I-77 south and I-70 east. See location for further directions.
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