On the evenings of December 13th and 14th, area residents can drive through the Clay Center Public Utilities Park and Zoo for a unique Christmas light experience. The annual event serves as a fundraiser for PUC, where vehicles drive through to look at Christmas lights, listen to music, and interact with holiday characters. Freebies are also given out, while attendees can donate toward the future Zoo Splash Pad project.
Last year, around 600 vehicles participated in the drive-through event, said PUC Superintendent, Scott Glaves.
Around 20 businesses and individuals sponsor the event, with their name placed on a reusable giveaway bag, which will be filled with other goodies for all ages. In the past, lighted items have been provided for kids, while cars have had the chance to draw for area gift cards, and more.
There are also dog treats for four-legged friends.
“We do have a lot of cars with dogs come through,” Glaves said.
Along the way, a series of 30 volunteers dress up as different holiday characters to hand out items and interact with car riders. Volunteers are kept warm with a fire ring and various gas heaters, which are provided by the event’s volunteer committee.
This year, event organizers will be housed out of the new Welcome Center. While in years past, volunteers had to set up further away, then shuttled in at various points. Live carolers will also be closer to the action with the new addition.
In anticipation for the drive-through event, PUC puts up additional lighting to make the view extra festive, Glaves said. Live music from carolers and holiday music is also part of the fun.
Committee members Ginger Walker, Chris Mellies, Garrett Payne, Scott Patterson, Judy Dunn, Josie Walker, Deb Luthi, and Scott Glaves have met weekly since June in anticipation for the event. They said this year’s donations will go to the Zoo’s planned splash pad.
“It’s always so much fun, it’s so much work, but the theme is for the splash park and to raise funds for that,” Mellies, who recently retired from CCPUC. “Hopefully they see the entry building done and say ‘Oh this is really working out’ and help donated toward even more growth.”
The event will take place December 13 and 14 from 6-9 pm. The attached map of traffic flow from 2022 still applies.
