CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio — This holiday season is definitely one like no other, and while so many Christmas traditions have gone out the window due to COVID-19, the Magic of Lights Northeast Ohio drive-thru can still be enjoyed through the window.
As the Christmas music blasts throughout the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, the line "and since there’s no place to go," rings true for 2020. Though, thousands are flocking to the fairgrounds to enjoy the mile-long lights display.
Jennifer Jackson and her husband Jonathon brought their three girls to the display Tuesday night.
“I saw it and I thought, ‘Well, it would be something fun to do that would be safe,’” she said.
Avia Tarver thought it may be a way to make her kids’ spirits bright.
“With home school and all that, they’ve been cooped up in the house, so I feel like this is a good experience for them to get out,” she said.
A way to celebrate for the young.
“We don’t need the lights and the gifts, however the young kids do need something that will get them in that Christmas spirit,” said Jonathon Jackson.
But also a way to celebrate for the young at heart.
“When I was on the street I got excited. I was like ‘Oh my gosh, look at it,’” said Tarver.
The Magic of Lights has multiple locations throughout North America. It’s headquartered in Medina. It’s been around for five years but Brett Pegler, the director of marketing, said they never anticipated being as busy as they are. They’ve more than doubled the traffic this year compared to last.
“On some days, there could be a wait of over an hour to get in, but that’s why we’ve done things like not selling tickets at the gate, cutting off ticket sales to hopefully prevent some of those long backups that we’ve experienced,” he said. “About 5,000 people attend a night.”
The display, shining a bright light on the need for some joy in this rather dark year.
“It also gives our children memories and that’s what special about it to me. When they get older they can all remember that they had this opportunity," said Deborah Tarver.
The drive-thru is so popular this holiday season, all options for tickets are listed as sold out on the website. To learn more, click here.
