“Wonderland in the Park”
Visit Madison, Inc. is gearing up for the second year of “Wonderland in the Park” this weekend, Friday and Saturday, December 13th & 14th, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. each night. Residents and visitors to Madison can enjoy two (2) nights of festive fun at Bicentennial Park and the riverfront! Returning this year will be many activities and rides, treats, and of course Santa! Wonderland-goers will also see many new holiday characters entwined with holiday themes across the Park. An Elf village has been added to last year’s Christmas Woods with marshmallow roasting as well as the King of Christmas Woods and Christmas Woods Warrior. The North Pole will feature Santa and this year Mrs. Claus and her bakeshop along with a Sugar Plum Fairy to help share cookies with good boys and girls. The Elf Village is led by a wise old Elf that helps make cotton candy and guides children to the elf village carousel. The Candy Queen will share more sweet treats and sugar plums for good children while the Queen of Wonderland shoos away the Grinch and makes him return treats and toys to good boys and girls. The Snow King will pass out magic snowflake wands and guide families to the enchanting snow globe. The frozen forest fairies greet skaters to the magic ice pond where skating is free to families and children. The entire park will be filled with characters in polar bear, reindeer, snowmen, candy cane and penguin costumes. Many more characters will make special appearances. Teens might enjoy the snowball fight arena and surprise photo opportunities at the ice throne or lighted walls. Of course pictures with Santa is a favorite. In keeping with the fact that the entire community has a role in Wonderland in the Park- guests will recognize many of their suggested characters and additions to this year’s event.
Also new this year, the Wonderland in the Park team has initiated the start of transforming Vaughn Drive (Madison’s riverfront) into “Wonderland Drive” to coincide with the event. Its been many years since the riverfront was lite up for the duration of the holidays. Lights started to appear nightly on Thanksgiving weekend, but will be ever more magical starting Wonderland in the Park weekend and through December 31st, 2019. Nearly 10,000 lights were added along Wonderland Drive, and over a dozen new large light features running from Mill Street to West Street. Tawana Thomas, Visit Madison Executive Tourism Director, stated “It’s our goal to enhance Madison’s beautiful riverfront in all holiday form. From my experience it takes years to build upon. We are ever more thankful for our sponsors that have made for the additions this year and know it will add more holiday ambiance. We hope this is a start to making Merry Madison a holiday destination for years to come”.
Wonderland Drive isn’t the only thing that will be enhanced, the Wonderland in the Park event added another 15,000 lights over last year’s 10,000 lights. Add it all up, that’s over 35,000 lights added to Madison’s riverfront and Bicentennial Park--something everyone can get excited about!
This event simply wouldn’t be made possible without its title sponsor, Lanthier Winery. Their passion to bring the Christmas spirit to Madison is bar none. Other sponsors include: The City of Madison, Jefferson County Board of Tourism, Morgan Foods, The Red Pepper Deli & Café, Bulk Truck & Transport Service, Auxier Gas, Lowes, and Arvin Sango. The Jefferson County and Madison community is to be thanked as well with their unwavering support of time, talent and donations. The event is free to all, donations will be accepted and are appreciated.
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