A look at the shiny lights from past years at the McCray’s Holiday Light Stroll.
Photo credit: McCray’s Farm
SOUTH HADLEY — McCray’s Farm has ramped up its preparations for its third annual Holiday Light Stroll, opening Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. and lasting until Dec. 29 as this year is geared to be bigger and better than ever.
One of the co-founders on the event for the farm is employee Mandi Carrol who told Reminder Publishing she and other staff came together in leading this event after brainstorming a way to have a holiday themed event at the farm. After seeing some inspiration from a show in Maine, it was time for the McCray’s staff to create their own holiday themed take on a lights stroll.
“It was more or less why not let’s do a holiday theme here,” said Carrol.
The truly festive outdoor light experience is just $15 and to secure a spot tickets can be purchased at mccraysfarm.ticketspice.com/mccrays-farm-light-show-2024. Tickets will be sold online only this year. Starting on Nov. 29, adult tickets will increase to $18 per person and children 12 and under will remain at $15, with free entry for children two and under.
The Light Stroll is about a 30-45 minute walk depending on speed as well as how often participants decide to post up for some photos at the different light and themed showcases. The shiny and dazzling lights showcase has added to the holiday celebrations the farm has, most notably in its Halloween events.
Carrol said in total there should be about 700,000 lights used this year, a new record for the event. She added many returning pieces of the stroll will be bigger and better and the walk through will feature new displays of light this year as well.
“Blood sweat and tears,” Carrol said about the efforts going into the spectacle of lights. “It’s a lot of work. As far as we’re aware nobody does anything like this. It’s not like Bright Nights where you’re in your car and you’re closed off from everything, it’s very interactive. There’s lots of spaces to take pictures with your family and you’re not just driving and looking at the same thing every year, we’re making changes too.”
Carrol said this year’s event is already benefiting from extra preparation leading up as some of the classic showcases throughout the holiday stroll will be bigger and improved on, as well as many new features included. According to Carrol the stroll will feature a giant ice castle, a Whoville set, a “Nightmare Before Christmas” section, and many more of everyone’s favorite holiday characters and festivities.
“Some of it’s getting revamped and becoming huge. Everything is looking to be bigger and better and amazing this year,” Carrol added.
