Christmas comes alive with Chickasaw State Park’s annual ‘Lighting of the Park’

HENDERSON Tenn. — It’s the holiday season and the Chickasaw State Park is becoming more festive than ever for their Christmas light tradition.

Guests join Chickasaw State Park for a magical evening as they celebrate the holiday season with the annual ‘Lighting of the Park’.

“The second weekend in December every year we do a drive through Christmas light display. We’ve got numerous displays all throughout the park as well as the electric lights. We’ve also got candle luminaries…about 12-hundred of those lining the road way,” said Ron Elder,  Park Manager at Chickasaw State Park.

For three nights , immerse yourself in the enchanting glow of beautifully illuminated displays that bring the holiday spirit to life.

“The first year that we did the lights here a Chickasaw was 1992 so this is actually our 33rd year without interruption,” said Elder.

The light displays are functioning from December 13 until December 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night.

“It very much is something that we look forward to…people in Henderson and surrounding areas. Numerous people come out every year and enjoy the lights and see the park lit up for Christmas,” added Elder.

Chickasaw State Park is a 1,400-acre park in west Tennessee named after the Chickasaw tribe. It was one of Tennessee’s 20 New Deal-era state parks.

“We enjoy seeing everyone come through the parks. You know, see kids piled up and smiling through the windows waving at all the park staff and volunteers throughout the way. We just enjoy seeing them enjoy the park in a little bit of a different way here at Christmas time,” said Elder.

This occasion is made possible by the Chickasaw State Park as well as the ‘Friends of Chickasaw’, their volunteer community organization.

If you’re looking to get creative, Chickasaw State Park is hosting their ‘Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments’ at the Trading Post from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, December 15 for guests to make unique decorations to hang on the tree.