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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 19, 2021
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McCormick-Stillman Railroad rolling full throttle BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer
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fter scaling back much of last year’s festivities, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park organizers have brought back crowd favorites and given guests longer exploration times during the Holiday Lights celebration. They re-opened the park’s model train building, which was closed last December amid the pandemic. Santa has also returned and guests now have two 1-1/2 hour time slots to explore the park. “Overall, the event structure is similar to what we did last year but with added time,” said Darryl Grimes, the special events coordinator for McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. “This gives customers another 30 minutes to get into the event space and have free reign for people to go ride the train and carousel as many times as you can, go into the model train building, visit Santa or take pictures all over the park.” Grimes said the longer time slots have been a hit with guests and something he plans to keep in the future. “We plan to stick with this format structure as it gives guests a better overall experience,” he said. The longer slots have also increased the park’s capacity of the park as 600 people can be allowed in per time slot, and Grimes expects to sell out most nights leading up to Christmas Day. “The closer we get to Christmas, the later slot will likely sell out as the earlier slot has already sold out for the most part,” Grimes said. He feels guests will be dazzled by the array of shining lights scattered around the park. “You will experience a magical train ride and be dazzled by a lot of lights,” he said. “From the moment people come into the park and are greeted by a large train deco-
Mary Hays, Emily Robertson, Megan Holden, Michael Holden take photos of Emma Holden, Rylee Holden, Oliver Holden and Reagan Hays sitting with Santa (Eric Watson) at the Holiday Lights event at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, Arizona. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)
The Paradise & Pacific Railroad rolls through the lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, Arizona. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)
rated with lights, people will be wowed with lights everywhere.” The vast array of lights also are synchronized to music for a unique experience. “We have two separate zones that are linked to RGB lights with color changing lights that are synced to music as well as a 40-foot tall RGB tree and �ive smaller trees that are also synced to music,” said Grimes.
The park has added an elf village equipped with �iberglass elves and reindeer and decorated the bathroom to light up like the home from the 1989 �ilm “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” “There’s a lot of little scenes going on that tell a story,” Grimes said. Families can create their own stories by taking their photos in front of the struc-
tures around the park. “We have giant ornaments that people can take pictures in and we have custom made props that are unique to the park. We also see people taking family photos for their Christmas cards in front of our tree or in a sleigh we have at the park,” said Grimes. “With how everyone is cognizant of taking photos and sel�ies for social media, having the photo opportunity at the park is next to none.” Along with the new attractions, an old one has garnered a large amount of fanfare upon its return. “The model train exhibit offers something for everyone and was missed heavily last year,” Grimes said. “Now that it’s back open, people are thrilled.” Still, the main attraction is the train ride. “What separates us is the fact that we offer the opportunity to ride on a classic steam locomotive that has been doing this for over 35 years,” said Grimes. “It brings a sense of tradition since people come back every year with their family.” Overall, Grimes is happy to be back to providing a fun time for the family and lighting up the park for the holidays. “People are leaving happy and it’s a great overall event this year,” he said. “I hope that people have a good time and this was worth it for their family. As long as people had a good time, we’re happy.”
If you go
What: Holiday Lights at McCormickStillman Railroad Park Where: McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park 7301 E Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. When: Now through Jan. 2 with 6-7:30 p.m. 8-9:30 p.m. time slots. Cost: $15 per 90-minute slot, tickets must be purchased online. Info: Therailroadpark.com/holidaylights