LATEST NEWS The Chalice Carillon Handbell Choir of First Christian Church LoginSubscribe Newsletters Contact HOME NEWS EVENTS COMMUNITY LINKS PHOTOS ARCHIVES PONCA CITY MONTHLY Festival of Angels Brings the Holiday Spirit to the Community Tue, November 23, 2021Kayley Spielbusch/Staff Intern Each year, the Festival of Angels hosts a month-long Christmas light festival across Ponca City. The Festival of Angels is a nonprofit organization that received its tax ID in 1996. Initially located on the grounds of the Marland Mansion, the festival began with approximately 20 displays. Many of those original displays were donated, and those who donated received an honorary plate inscribed with their name. Over the years, with the help of the funds raised during the light festival, the Festival of Angels has grown to be the largest animated Christmas light display in Northern Oklahoma and Southern Kansas. They now have over 300 light displays in multiple locations across the city. Festival of Angels president Bob Henderson enjoys the work they do. The light displays are free to visit, but donations are accepted. The donations that they receive go toward the maintenance of the light displays, along with the additions of new ones. Each display is either made or purchased by the Festival of Angels, and they have to routinely repair or replace components. “There are thousands of dollars that go into maintaining the displays,” said Elaine McDonald, Festival of Angels treasurer. “The donations help make the cost more manageable.” Volunteers also play a vital role in the maintenance. Dubbed their “little elves,” the Festival of Angels has a group of volunteers that go around performing the routine maintenance on the lights each day, along with opening and closing the Lake Ponca Park, where the largest portion of the displays is located. Festival volunteers also take part in putting up and taking down the displays. Separate groups of volunteers work the hut at Lake Ponca Park. “We are always looking for new volunteers,” states McDonald. “It’s a lot of hard work, but we have a good time while doing it.” Volunteers work throughout the entire month of November to get the displays up before the annual Opening Night Party. The party takes place on the eve of Thanksgiving at Lake Ponca Park and is free to the public. The party features horse-pulled wagon rides, snacks and hot chocolate and charcoal fire pits where attendees can roast marshmallows. Kids even have a photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus when they make their appearance at the decorated shelter house. The light festival at Lake Ponca Park will remain open from Wednesday, Nov. 26 to Thursday, Dec. 30 from 6-10 p.m. Other light displays are located at Cann Gardens and the grounds of the Pioneer Woman statue. If anyone is interested in volunteering with the Festival of Angels to maintain the displays, they can call 580-362-6744 or 580-763-7857. They can also be contacted through their Facebook page. Facebook Twitter Email Pinterest More EVENTS 1 DEC Festival of Angels 06:00 PM - 10:00 PM Pioneer Woman Ponca City OK 74604 3 DEC Ponca City’s Annual Lighted Christmas Parade 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM Grand Avenue Ponca City OK 745601 3 DEC Lighted Christmas Parade & Christmas Open House Weekend (all weekend) All Day Event 100 block east grand Ponca City OK 74601 4 DEC Free Holiday Movies at The Hub 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM 16601 West South Avenue Tonkawa OK 74653 MORE EVENTS POPULAR RECENT 1 Stone Barn Story Enters a New Chapter 12/01/2020 2 Bird Scooters coming to Ponca City on September 27 09/16/2021 3 Four Ponca City Fighters Set to Compete this Weekend in Enid MMA Competition 07/29/2021 4 Debra Rue Tells the Untold Story of the 12 Pioneer Women Statues 03/13/2021 5 Business Spotlight: Hideaway Marina 08/01/2021 THIS WEEK'S POLL Do you plan to get vaccinated? Yes No Unsure After FDA Approval HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Previous Next Facebook Twitter Instagram About Us News USA Entertainment Technology Business Policies & Info Services Classifieds Directory Real Estate Events © Copyright 2021, All Rights Reserved About | Contact | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions