Since opening for the season three weeks ago, Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends has been attracting an influx of visitors.
The attraction is inside Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Regional Park and is made possible by volunteers who work through the Pine Bluff Festival Association and corporate donors. Greg Gustek, executive director of the festival association, said he is pleased with the attraction’s success to date.
Visitors of the display do not have to pay, although volunteers ask for a donation. Donors who give at least $10 will receive a Christmas ornament while supplies last.
“I can tell by the donations that we are ahead of last year,” Gustek said of the estimated number of visitors. “We are doing better than we have done in a while. In 2014, we attracted 110,000 visitors, which is our record. We intend to break 110,000 this year. We closed last year twice for floods and attracted about 94,000 [visitors] in 2015. We are definitely ahead of last year’s attendance.”
At more than 1.3 miles long with 285 lighting displays, the attraction is the largest drive-through in Arkansas and one of the largest in the mid-South, Gustek said. It is open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every night until New Year’s Eve.
Based on past years, Gustek expects an influx of visitors beginning this upcoming weekend and peaking around Christmas. Gustek notes the addition of lighted displays of soldiers directing people at Martha Mitchell Expressway at Regional Park Drive and at Regional Park Drive near the Gov. Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center.
Jefferson County has received ample rain recently, which makes a slight impact on turnout. Gustek has been receiving many calls from people asking about driving buses into the facility.
The enchanted land of lights and legends has an arch measuring 16 feet, which is high enough for buses. Gustek assures people from all locations to head to Pine Bluff and enjoy the sights.
In 2015 the display endured thefts, vandalism and severe flooding that caused its premature closure. Gustek reminds visitors that they are being protected by police officers and other security measures.
“We did a spot-check of the displays,” Gustek said. “We do not have any missing equipment. We increased our security. We have police officers patrolling the park. We have never had an incident involving our board members or volunteers. It is secure and safe.”