‘Lightscapes 2004’ sparkles at Rich Farms with 1 million lights, counting
SPRINGHILL TWP. – One million lights and counting. that’s how Tom Rich describes the Rich Farms Inc. spectacular light show called “Lightscapes 2004” along Route 857 in Springhill Township. With “Mother Nature” as a backdrop, the 300-acre farm serves as the set for the growing production.
Before you enter be sure to tune your car radio to 87.9 on the AM dial. Rich Farms has its own radio station that plays holiday music to enhance your visit.
“You can only pick it up two to three miles from the farms,” said Rich, president of the organization.
The snow has worked wonders on the already beautiful set.
“Our main objective is to create a festival atmosphere,” said Rich, “and I think every year we get better.”
And the visitors seem to agree.
“I guess they’ve never seen anything like this. My brother Michael said that at the gift shop everyone is in a good mood and smiling,” Rich said.
Rich said this “Winter Wonderland is a natural progression” since the layout of the land lends itself more to entertainment than to farm uses.
“We already have several farms, and a garden center retail outlet,” Rich said.
“This acreage is made up of meadows and lakes and forests,” all parts of the “naturalistic approach” they used to design the area, he said.
The dazzling displays showcase a live nativity scene with live actors and animals.
Also featured is an Enchanted Forest. “Our woods just come to life,” Rich said. “It is dazzling. Everywhere you look there are lights. And just when you think you’re at the end, there are more
lights.”
Nearby is the “Gingerbread House.” There are animated animals and even a “Santa Express” display. They do not use “cutouts” in their presentation.
They show an array of “Nationality Trees,” with each tree’s lights designed to match the colors of that country’s flag.
“It really is something,” Rich said. Every weekend there are wagon rides, as well.
At the end of the road, there is a “great gift shop, with hot chocolate, and Santa’s inside,” Rich said.
Rich Farms management and staff began this project three years ago with “a couple of hundred thousand lights.”‘
They were already drawing autumn crowds with “Fright Farm” and its seven-acre corn maze.
“We are the largest in the state,” he said. “When we take down those displays, that’s when we start staging our Christmas ones.”
In their third year, Rich said they have “worked most of the bugs out.”
He said that they are now a for-profit organization, but that they are “looking ahead to some charity involvement in the future.”
He concluded, “We will expand this, and possibly go into more animation.” But for now, that’s all on the drawing board.
The Rich Farms display is located on Route 857 in Springhill Township. It is open 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night, except Mondays. They will be closed both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
The last day to visit the display is Jan. 2. The cost is a small cost for each vehicle, but in return patrons receive a coupon good at the Rich Farms Christmas store.