Beaver County Christmas Extravaganza returns to Bradys Run lodge

BRIGHTON TWP. - The Beaver Valley will get a bit more festive this Christmas season.

For the first time in three years, the Beaver County Christmas Extravaganza will spread holiday cheer at Bradys Run Park.

No longer sidelined by the pandemic, the multi-weekend Christmas celebration, founded in 1989 as the Beaver County Festival of Trees, opens Thanksgiving Day, and will welcome up to 10,000 visitors of all ages to the Lodge at Bradys Run.

Staff and sponsors turn the Lodge into a lovely wonderland of Christmas trees uniquely decorated in creative themes. Visitors will see trees adorned with nutcrackers, polar bears, ornamental M&Ms, Christmas movie ornaments, a tree decked out like an angel, and a tree with official White House ornaments from throughout the years.

"We probably have 35 to 40 trees this year, an increase of what we've had," organizer Ron Wisbith said.

Visitors also will experience dazzling light displays, as Christmas music enhances the merry mood.

"There's a whole new setup, including new ceiling decorations," Wisbith said.

Local high school students created wall murals featured in Santa Land.

The Candy Lane Gift Shop sells holiday gifts and novelties.

Families will enjoy photo ops with Tom Yeti, the festival's snow creature mascot.

"He's been a masterful mascot. We've been in five parades this year, so he's helped get the word out," Wisbith said.

The park property outside the lodge will feature decorative "islands" with Christmas displays.

"We added one more new one," Wisbith said.

Beaver County Christmas Extravaganza hours:

Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving Day), 5-9 p.m.

Nov. 25, noon-9 p.m.

Nov. 26, noon-9 p.m.

Nov. 27, noon-9 p.m.

Dec. 2, 5-9 p.m.

Dec. 3, noon to 9 p.m.

Dec. 4, noon to 9 p.m.

Dec. 9, 5-9 p.m.

Dec. 10, noon-9 p.m.

Dec. 11, noon-9 p.m.

The event's Christmas Store will remain open 3-7 p.m. Dec. 13-14.

Beaver County Christmas Extravaganza admission is $8, ages 13-62; $7, ages 63 and older; $4, ages 6-12; free for 5 and younger.

More:New Brighton saloon goes all-in for Christmas, with name change & more

Special events include:

*Santa's North Pole Cafe Breakfast, 8:30 to 11 a.m., Nov. 26. A meal of pancakes, sausage, milk and juice will be shared with Santa, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, Tinsel the tree, Snoopy and other characters. Reservations are required at bcchristmasextravaganza.org

*Spirit of Christmas Group Week, Nov. 29-Dec. 2, where organizations can reserve lunch at The North Pole Café serving hot chocolate, coffee, hot dogs and cold drinks for $1 each, and 50-cent cookies. To make reservations, contact Amy at 330-502-9882 or amy@bcchristmasextravaganza.org.

*Armed Services Day, Dec. 3, with $5 admission for anyone with a valid military ID.

*Senior Citizens Day, Dec. 4, with $5 admission for anyone 63 and older.

Adhering to its original purpose of raising money for charitable needs, this year's extravaganza will earn money for both Beaver County Children and Youth Services programs and the U.S. SARR Corps organization that searches for missing persons.

"We will continue to explore more creative ideas brining our county closer together to share the beauty of the Christmas season," Wisbith said.

One new event this year is the Extravaganza sponsoring a Christmas Glow home decorating contest.

"We have nine entrants for this first one. We will be distributing a map showing their locations for viewing," Wisbith said. "We are also promoting municipalities’ where we are aware of other displays but are not yet participating. This will grow as time goes on."

Cash prizes will be awarded the top three Christmas Glow winners. Total prizes $1,000. These will be awarded at the pre-Extravaganza Gala on Nov. 22.

More:What's Cooking: News from the Beaver Valley dining & drinks scenes

The Lodge is at 526 Bradys Run Road.

Updates and full details are available at bcchristmasextravaganza.org/.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Beaver County Christmas Extravaganza returns to Bradys Run lodge