Willard Bay to feature Holiday light show
Twas the week after finals and all throughout Logan, not a student was stirring, a-studyin’ or moanin’. The books were placed upon the shelves with care, in hopes that the new semester would never be there. The freshmen were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of graduation danced in their heads. With nothing left for the students to do, they hummed, they hoed, they bothered and stewed. For students are meant to be out and about, they need their break to play and to shout.
For this there is a fantasy land of creatures and things to entertain them even better than a yo-yo with strings.
Come tour the lights so bright and so small, as they fill the park with cheer for one and for all.
The Fantasy at the Bay, a Willard Park themed Christmas light display that attracts more than 40,000 people annually and incorporates more than a million lightbulbs in a variety of attractions is northern Utah’s portal to a winter wonderland.
There are purple dinosaurs that lift their heads, wag their tails and chomp on grass. The reindeer flight school follows close after, where Rudolph is learning to fly, but ends up crash landing into the ground.
The light display is no normal, run-of-the mill display, and it is growing every year, said Sonny Gilbert, manager of the display.
“We do our best to make it fun for everyone and provide a little Christmas spirit,” Gilbert said.
The park is located just north of Willard Bay, off of Exit 357 from I-15 and the lights can easily be seen from the freeway. The park is deep and, until entering the park, it’s impossible to see just how big and active the light display really is.
Upon entering, the slow drive through the park shows off the massive light collection but it’s after making the first round that the Christmas magic really kicks off.
Parked near the concession stand is Rodney and Kim Bennett with their four children, one of which is a student at USU.
The Bennett family runs the horse tour through the park with two massive Clydesdale horses pulling a wagon big enough for 20 or so. The horses pull the participants through the winter wonderland, and the second go around is even more magical than the first.
The display, with teddy bears climbing trees, riding snowmobiles and making a gingerbread house, is intricately designed for a light display in a small town. The tour ends with an illustration of the poem “The Night Before Christmas”.
The Bennett family has been pulling visitors from all over Utah and the surrounding states through the Christmas fantasy land for five years. The park has been open for seven.
The park offers hot chocolate, small food items and a picture with Santa. The carriage ride is free after a $7 per-vehicle fee to get into the park. Jolly holiday music is played throughout the drive. The carriage ride is a great excuse to have to keep a date warm on a cold, winter night.
Move over Temple Square, the Fantasy at the Bay is showing how interactive and dynamic holiday displays really can be. So pile into a car, split the minor costs and make the half-an-hour drive down the mountain to try for a little Christmas cheer.
– seth.bracken@aggiemail.usu.edu