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Chetola Resort’s Annual Festival of Lights Continues Through January

By Madison Fisler Lewis

Dec. 3, 2014. Each evening from now through January, guests can drive through the streets of Chetola Resort and be transported to a winter wonderland full of illuminated scenes and meticulously decorated buildings throughout the resort. Thousands are on display for all to see, and the spectacle attracts plenty of excited onlookers every year.

Taking in the lights has become a family tradition for many High Country families, and for visitors as well. Some families drive up every year to see the beautiful sights at the resort, and many children have grown up with the Festival of Lights as an integral part of their Christmas traditions.

“We have so many people who come up every year and make this a tradition,” said Allison West, marketing coordinator at Chetola Resort.

“I think that there are plenty of people who come up from off the mountain to Blowing Rock during the holidays and they really appreciate that we do this. There are local families too that come see the lights every year. It doesn’t take long to drive through, and the kids really love it too. There are a lot of families who just really appreciate that we do this and make time for it every year.”

The resort has offered the Festival of Lights annually since 1989 and have been a popular attraction for the small town of Blowing Rock since their inception. Though the lights have changed with technology and the times, one thing about the Festival of Lights remains the same through the decades: the beautiful lights serve as a symbol of the holiday season and always seem to bring families together.

This year, there are two additions to the annual display, said West. Return visitors will notice two playful hockey-playing penguins right next to Chetola Lake, along with the addition of wrapped tree trunks nearby.

There is no cost for admission to visit Chetola Resort to see the elaborate light display, and all are invited to take a look.

“We don’t charge admission for this,” West said. “Just drive right up to the welcome gate and come and see.”

The Chetola Festival of Lights runs through Jan. 25, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. each evening.

Chetola Resort is located at 185 Chetola Lake Dr. in Blowing Rock. For more information about Chetola Resort’s Festival of Lights, call 828-295-5500 or click here.

Photos courtesy of Chetola Resort

BR Mountain Holiday in Lights Brochure

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