Copyright © 2006 - 2009 Anderson Lights of Hope - Non-Profit Organization

Old Man Winter  - Above

Is one of the larger animated displays at Darwin Wright Park. The display contains four colors of lights and uses over 1000 C7 light bulbs.

Roasting Marshmallows - Below

Has become a family tradition at the Lights of Hope.
Text Box: The event is located in Darwin Wright Park, which is off Liberty Hwy between Wal-Mart and I-85 exit 21, Lights of Hope will open Thanksgiving Day 2009 at 5:30 pm. Text Box: Imagine a place filled with snowflakes, toys, friendly animals, reindeer and even old St. Nick himself. Nope, it’s not the North Pole; it’s “Lights of Hope.” The annual light show has been illuminating Darwin Wright Park in Anderson South Carolina at Christmas with its 7/10ths-mile display of over a million multi-colored lights. Text Box: The displays are both animated and stationary, and it takes about 20 minutes to drive through them. To construct a light show consisting of thousands and thousands of lights and covering so much ground, surprisingly completed by volunteer workers. Four people oversee the set up all of these lights, with a years worth of plans in hand, it will take them three full weeks and a lot of volunteer help to get it put together. 100% of the proceeds from the Front Gate admission specifically goes to benefit local charities in Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties. Other area organizations and civic groups also get involved with Lights of Hope by volunteering. Community groups and our sponsors give back by getting involved in organizing “Lights of Hope” this year as they plan and run certain areas of the event. Students from different local high schools and area Colleges and Universities come together to design advertising, marketing, and create new areas. Proceeds from the Sponsorships and Santa Village go to fund Anderson Lights of Hope. This is to pay for marketing, printing, repairs to the park, displays and buy new light displays. Anderson Lights of Hope does not have any paid employees or Board of Directors so all proceeds go directly back into the project. Text Box: The displays are sponsored by many businesses in the area and the City of Anderson / Army Corp of Engineers, donate the use of Darwin Wright Park for the event. In 2008 we had over 23,000 people come through the event according to the Army Corp. and in 2009 we are looking to add some new displays. Text Box: Volunteers pass out programs and tell people to turn off their headlights as they drive through the park. They also make sure that the drivers turns their radio to a special “Lights of Hope” station (89.7 fm) that plays Christmas music for people driving through the exhibit. Many visitors have probably been to ‘Lights of Hope’ around five times, and the arrangement of the lights changes every year, but the displays stay basically the same. It has become a tradition in many families for many years.

Anderson Lights of Hope

Now taking applications for 2009 Volunteer Staff positions. New Positions include: Corporate Sponsorship Director, Sponsorship Director, Design and Decoration Director, electricians, and Vendor Director.

Email the Administration for details.
Text Box: Lights of Hope is home to not only all of these lights, but also over 60 different displays,” Not just the typical holiday decoration, the light show offers a variety of both large illustrations and animated presentations.