By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— Families looking for some holiday themed fun have a new destination as of Nov. 23 when the Oak Mountain Festival of Lights will return to the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre.

Carloads of families weave through the elaborately decorated track, viewing traditional scenes depicted through Christmas lights, such as Santa and his sleigh, working elves, the 12 days of Christmas and the nativity scene.

“We were just anxious because we have been planning and working on things since back in June,” said John Ruffino, with Red Mountain Entertainment. “So now it’s go time, so we’ve got people out here setting up.”

In addition to the still scenes, Ruffino said they have added synchronized lights. These modern lights will be hooked up to a computer and made to move in synch with music that attendees can tune into in their cars.

They started creating the scenes and fabricating the event back in June, and welders have been putting the lights together since then.

“I think it will be something that people are proud of,” Ruffino said.

After guests drive through the light show, they can visit Christmas Village at the amphitheater.  Santa Claus will be available for pictures for three weekends beginning Nov. 27. Ruffino said there will be many picture and video packages available.

Just like last year, the amphitheater will provide cookies and milk for all the children.

Last year was the first Oak Mountain Festival of Lights and Ruffino said they had a great turnout. There were about 20,000 cars that visited and Ruffino guessed there were twice as many people who visited Christmas Village afterward.

The show will run from Nov. 23 to Jan. 3 nightly, with Santa visiting on some Friday, Saturday and Sundays. Tickets are $20 a car and multiple surrounding Piggly Wiggly locations are offering $5 off coupons.

For more information, visit Oakmountainfestivaloflights.com.