The Southern Lights, located at the Kentucky Horse Park, has opened its doors to the public once again.
This light show has attracted a large audience throughout its 31-year run, and has been named one of Kentucky’s Top 10 Winter/Holiday Festivals and Events by Kentucky Travel and Tourism.
The Southern Lights begins with a drive through millions of twinkling lights, all arranged in different pictures and scenes.
This three-mile route takes visitors through the Kentucky Horse Park and ends at their next attraction- the Holiday Village.
At the Holiday Village, visitors are able to shop local craft vendors, see model train sets, eat festive snacks, feed animals at a petting zoo, meet Santa Claus, and more.
While these different activities help to create a holiday spirit for the visitors, it’s the workers that bring it all to life.
Mindy Bailes, an employee working in concessions at the Southern Lights, said that her company has been working with the light show for about 20 years.
Throughout her 20 years there, Bailes has found that her favorite part of working there are the people she meets.
“It’s a tradition. That I’ve watched kids grow up. They’ve watched my kids grow up, because my kids have helped in this business for forever,” Bailes said.
She believes that talking to the people visiting the park is just one of the things that keeps her coming back every year.
Bailes also enjoys the petting zoo, witnessing the birth of 19 baby goats last year.
“It’s just always special,” Bailes said. “There’s always something new, and it’s just always a very special time. It’s my favorite show of the year.”
This is not only a tradition for Bailes, but a magical holiday tradition for families all over Kentucky.
Mother and son, Terry and Matthew Miles, live in Jacksonville, Kentucky, but drive to Southern Lights every year.
Terry Miles has been bringing her family to this event since her children were very young, and makes new memories with each visit.
“Him and his brother rode the camel, but they were little, you know? So, it was kinda cute,” Terry Miles said.
Continuing his mother’s tradition, Matthew Miles has brought the family this year.
Matthew Miles has been a part of the military for 14 years, and gets free admission to the Southern Lights on their annual Veteran and First Responders Night.
This special night is hosted on both Dec. 3, and Dec. 11 for families of military veterans or first responders with a valid military or first responder ID.
This helps to bring in more people and create memories that last a lifetime.
The Southern Lights runs every evening until Dec. 31, closing on Christmas Day.