Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1488233
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2022 UCW 15 Sweet Valley Ranch hosts drive-thru Festival of Lights by KATRINA WILSON Bundle up the kids, fill up the gas tank and head towards Sunnyside School Road to enjoy Sweet Valley Ranch's drive-thru Festival of Lights now until Dec. 26. Staff transformed about 40 acres of the farm into a magical Christmas Wonderland with over 1 million lights and over 350 animals. While the show is a drive-through event – across the street – guests can also park at Tiny's Winter Wonderland to relish a visit with Santa, vendors, a gift shop, amusement rides, food and more! All ticket holders must be in the same vehicle. is year will mark three years Fred and Anita Surgeon, the owners of the ranch, have done the festival. eir inaugural year was Dec. 2020. What is a farm without animals? Surgeon said animals will be there decked out in Christmas garments and lit-up collars. Some will even be at the Nativity Scene exhibit. Traditional farm animals will be there like sheep, goats and horses. As well as some exotic animals like cranes, llamas and zebras. He said there will be signs by the animals so attendees will know what type of animal it is. He said feedback from attendees over the years has been that they wanted to know which animals are which. e special exhibits at the fes- tival are the First Responder, Di- nosaur World, Star Wars, Santa's Drive-ru Gift Shop, Ginger Bread House and there will be a Military Tribute. Another exhibit is e Grinch's Mansions where a live Grinch will be. Another exhibit is Tiny's Backyard. For those wondering why there is a Tiny's Winter Wonderland and Tiny's Backyard, Tiny is the ranch's mascot, a Brahma Bull that weighs 2,500 pounds. Tiny will be at the festival. ose interested in attending the festival can view the schedule on the ranch's website. Children under 2 are admitted for free. Ticket prices range from $8 to $10. Large groups will get special pricing. Ticket pricing is as follows: one to three visitors in a car is $10 per person; four to 11 visitors is $9 per person; 12 or more visitors cost $8 per person. Visitors aged two and under are free. e site is open from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 26. Customer Appreciation Day is on Dec. 21, when all guests will be admitted for $8 each. e festival will be Closed on Dec. 24 and 25. e event is located at 2990 Sun- nyside School Road in Fayetteville. For more information visit their website https://www.sweetvalley- EVENT KATRINA WILSON, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly. com. 910-484-6200 Santa and several animals will be on site to welcome visitors to this year's Festival of Lights at Sweet Valley Ranch. (Photos courtesy Sweet Valley Ranch) FTCC Corporate & Continuing Education Classes are available on FTCC's Fayetteville Campus, the Education Center, and LEEM (Law Enforcement Emergency Management Training Center) in Spring Lake, and other locations throughout Cumberland County. Call: (910) 678-8498 www.faytechcc.edu/continuing-education • Cardiovascular Monitor Technician • Certified Nursing Assistant • Patient Care Technician • Phlebotomy • Registered Medical Assistant • EMT • Paramedic T H I N K I N G A B O U T A C A R E E R I N H E A LT H C A R E ? G e t C e r t i f i e d t h r o u g h F T C C !