Chehaw cancels Festival of Lights, to run train

ALBANY — While Chehaw is still recovering from damage brought by Hurricane Michael’s 100-mph winds, the park’s Christmas Train will highlight the holidays this year in place of the annual Festival of Lights.

“Sadly, the devastation left behind by Hurricane Michael has forced us to cancel the annual Festival of Lights this year,” Director of Guest and Public Relations Morgan Burnette said. “However, even a Category 3 hurricane can’t blow away our Christmas spirit. Instead of a full-blown Festival of Lights, we will simply be running the Christmas Train this season. Bring the family out to enjoy a 20-minute train ride along a track filled with Christmas and holiday lights.”

The Sugar Shack will have fall favorites such as hot cocoa, marshmallows, s’mores and more, and visitors can keep warm by the fires while they wait for the train to reach the station. However, Burnette noted, the ride won’t include Santa Claus.

“The train is everybody’s favorite part,” Burnette said. “Honestly, I think they come more for the train than they do the drive-through lights, so we wanted to be able to do something even though we can’t do what we’d like to do.”

Asked how recovery from Hurricane Michael is going for Chehaw, Burnette responded, “It’s going.”

“We were hit really, really hard (among) all 800 acres,” Burnette said. “So as we have special events coming up, we get that area cleared, and then we move to the next one. It’s going to be a long process. We did get the zoo opened up this weekend for weekend use at half price until we can get everything fixed.”

The Christmas Train runs Dec. 13-16, 20-24 and 26-29 from 6-9 p.m. each night. The train ride costs $6 per ride and $4 per additional ride. Group rates are available, with more information available by calling (229) 430-5275. Chehaw is located at 105 Chehaw Park Road.