Cross Creek Township property to host Christmas lights drive-thru, market
Those looking for some Christmas cheer this weekend may be able to find it at Railyard Venues in Cross Creek Township.
The property, owned by Tim Paris, will be hosting a free Christmas light drive-thru featuring hot chocolate, photos with Santa Claus and a market with more than two dozen vendors on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. It is located at 744 Avella Road.
“So right now I’m up to about 146 different displays on the property,” Paris said this week.
Paris started setting up light displays several years ago. He said he drew inspiration from Gus Barbush’s lights in Langeloth. Barbush, who died in 1989, would light up his property with more than 10,000 blue lights.
He recalled his childhood memories of visiting Barbush’s property, which also featured live animals to pet along with the lights.
“You would walk through the gate. You would make a donation. You’d see all his Christmas lights, and you would get to walk around and see the animals. I remember that specifically because I had a little green furry coat on one time and I was petting the animals, and I walked by the llama pen, and a llama actually spit on me,” Paris said. “What Gus did was he brought Christmas to everybody by having his lights up and his displays; it was very beautiful.”
Like Barbush, Paris does not charge a fee for entering but does take donations. All donations and the fees paid by vendors goes to the Little A Town Arena. Little A Town Arena is a rodeo and event space, but also a nonprofit organization. After expenses, all of the money collected by Little A Town is distributed to local charities.
While driving through to see the light displays, attendees will be able to park and visit the market before continuing the rest of the way. Paris estimates that last year, about 1,800 vehicles visited.