McAdenville: Christmastown, USA

O Come All Ye Faithful... and come they do! Beginning on December 1 each year, thousands of people flock to McAdenville, NC, a tiny town outside of Gastonia, NC. Each year shortly after Thanksgiving, the switch is thrown and the entire town is transformed into a sea of sparkling lights.

Speaking of the sea, each year while most people are having summer barbecues and vacationing by the ocean, the people of McAdenville are preparing for Christmas. Around August the city begins its transformation into Christmastown USA, checking bulbs and making sure that everything is in order for the December crowds. Nearly every home in the city and more than 400 tress are decorated and not even the smallest details have not been overlooked. Lights are draped on everything that does not move.

McAdenville's transformation into Christmastown, USA is due chiefly to support from the town's only industry, Pharr Yarns. The company has been instrumental in making sure the lights twinkle each year. Close to 85% of the homes within McAdenville's city limits are owned by Pharr Yarns. However, individual residents have the choice of whether or not they decorate. Pharr Yarns also assists some of the residents with electricity costs for the month of December. The company and its owners have always been the largest supporter of Christmastown USA.

Along the tour route almost everything is decorated, including homes, trees, churches, mailboxes, fences, municipal buildings, shops, and even a lake, which is one of the main attractions. The trees surrounding the lake are decorated. On the opposite side of the lake from the road, you can see a 46-foot wide, 28-foot tall animated display of "Old Man Winter" blowing snow. A fountain in the center of the lake changes color as it shoots water up to 75-feet into the air. The tour also includes a nativity scene with life-sized replicas representing the birth of Jesus.

Since 1956, there has been only one season when the lights did not shine — 1973/1974, due to the energy crisis that year. "It just did not feel like Christmas," said long-time resident Steve Rankin.

Most people choose to drive through the tour. If you can, don't miss the opportunity to walk through the town rather than drive, to bring extra life to the McAdenville experience. Walking gives you the opportunity to slow down and truly hear the music, see the houses up close, and grab a cup of hot cocoa or coffee. But whether you walk or drive, Christmas at McAdenville is an experience that you should not miss.

To jingle all the way to McAdenville, just take a right off of Interstate 85 in Gaston County, NC. The residents of the town leave the lights on for you nightly from December 1 to 26 each year. Once you've experienced McAdenville first hand, you'll be glowing with the Christmas spirit all season long.

The tour is free of charge and the lights come on nightly from December 1 to 26, Mondays–Fridays from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM and Saturdays and Sundays from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM. Hours are often extended closer to Christmas, but waits of 45 minutes are not unusual, so please plan ahead.

For more details, visit www.mcadenville-christmastown.com

by Leslie W. Cothren