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Drive-thru ‘Christmas Winter Festival’ to take over Teen Ranch for Dec.

December 3, 2020   ·   0 Comments

By Sam Odrowski

A creative collection of 3D Christmas displays is taking over the grounds of Teen Ranch (20682 Hurontario St) from December 1 to 27 for its Christmas Winter Festival.

The festival is a drive-thru event, so attendees stay warm and cozy in their cars while rolling through the festival grounds and FM transmitters will output audio for each of the Christmas displays.

There’s 30 displays in total, utilizing holographic technology, making this style of event the first of its kind for the region.

“We are going to be putting out illusion projections, so it could be anything from taking a sneak into Santa’s workshop and seeing the elves get into mischief, to seeing Santa practicing taking off with reindeers, to virtual Christmas carollers singing right in front of your car,” said Howard Dalal, Executive Director of Active Lives Day Program, a charitable organization for adults with special need.

Active Lives has teamed up with Teen Ranch to make the event possible and fundraise for their programs as COVID-19 has impacted the way the two organizations raise funds.

“We had to think outside of the box,” said Dalal. ”This event is going to be different than the normal festive light events.”

He told the Citizen his target is to welcome 5,000 patrons to the Christmas Winter Festival over the 27 days that it’s held.

The event is completely COVID-19 safe, since patrons stay situated in their cars while touring the festival.

“There’s no worrying about being immersed in a huge crowd and the fact that you’re in your car makes it a big selling point,” Dalal noted.

“Being out in the cold is always a challenge, but being able to stay nuzzled and warm with your family in the car is great.”

The event costs $20 to attend and runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. December 1-27.

Dalal noted that this is the first time Teen Ranch and Active Lives partnered to host the Christmas Winter Festival but hope to make it an annual event going forward.

“This is an interactive holographic event that you won’t want to miss. It’s going to wow the youngest to the oldest of attendees,” he enthused.

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