Fantasy In Lights

I’m trying to get into the holiday spirit.  I don’t feel like Christmas is just around the corner.  I’m certainly not ready.  To help nudge me along, I  put up our Christmas tree this weekend.  That started me thinking about Callaway Garden’s Fantasy in Lights.

We basically have three ‘touristy’ claims to fame here in West Central Nowhere.  The first is Warm Springs.  You may have heard of it.  It’s the location of F.D.R.’s Little White House and the famous mineral pools where he came for polio treatment.  Not to be a downer, but it’s also where he died.  Warm Springs is a small little town with some gift shops that specialize in what I called ‘Chicken on a Stick’.  They sell sweet smelling candles, Christmas ornaments year round, boiled peanuts, and wooden animal cut-outs usually glued to a stick. 

Our second tourist attraction is the Gay Fair.  Years ago when C asked me if I wanted to go to the local Gay Fair, you can imagine the images that ran through my mind and now probably yours!  But, you’d be wrong!  It’s the most un-gay event on the planet.  Actually it’s named the Cotton Pickin Fair and it takes place in the town of Gay, Georgia.  And, I use the term ‘town’ loosely.  It’s really more of a spot on the map, or perhaps it could be described as a crossroads at best.  Anyway, it takes place twice a year in the spring and fall and people come from miles around to buy ‘Chickens on a Stick’ and boiled peanuts.

But, by far our biggest tourist attraction is Callaway Gardens.  It’s the home of several golf courses, horticulture center, botanical garden, the Victory Garden South, Spa, and hotel.  Here in West Central Nowhere, Callaway Gardens is our version of Microsoft or Disneyland.  It’s the most prestigious show in town.  Every year they do something called Fantasy in Lights.  Yes, I admit it’s a little cheesy, but it’s ours and we’re proud of it.  And, that’s saying a lot coming from a Bah Humbug like me.  At least it will get you in the holiday spirit!

“Nestled amidst wooded landscape of Callaway Gardens, Fantasy in Lights is the Southeast's most spectacular holiday light and sound show with more than eight million twinkling lights celebrating the holiday season.  This spectacular show has attracted almost two million visitors since it opened in 1992.  Now in its 19th year, Fantasy in Lights has become an essential holiday tradition for many families, as much as a part of the season as caroling or attending "The Nutcracker."  Visit once and you'll discover why.”

http://www.callawaygardens.com/