The holiday season is upon us and tidings of joy can be found all across Pulaski County, MO! We have picked out four of our favorites that you and your family should not miss:
Devils Elbow Bridge, Devils Elbow
At the beginning of 2013 the future of the 1923 Devils Elbow Bridge was in jeopardy. Luckily, the bridge was refurbished and after a brief closure during repairs, is again carrying Route 66 traffic across the Big Piney River. Last December residents of the historic village of Devils Elbow, and some “regulars” at the Elbow Inn Bar & BBQ decided to spruce up this engineering beauty with Christmas lights. Word spread, and travelers from across the United States, and around the globe, came to drive across the illuminated bridge. It was a hit and the bridge’s neighbors decided to do it again this year! The bridge decorations include well over 11,000 lights and both ends are decorated with wreaths that light up the number “66”.
The lights come on at sunset and the bridge will be lit up through at least December 25th.
Croaker’s Santa Hat, Waynesville
W.H. Croaker, also known as Frog Rock, is one of Missouri’s most well known, and beloved rocks. Croaker greets travelers as they descend down Waynesville Hill into town. This year the quirky landmark has been topped off with a whimsical Santa Hat, designed and constructed by Gone To Pieces Quilt Guild. The hat was a house guest at several of the guild member’s homes where it was patch worked together before being placed on Croaker December 3rd.
Croaker will wear his Santa Hat through at least December 25th.
Nativity Scene, Waynesville
A beloved Christmas tradition since the 1950’s, Waynesville’s Nativity Scene sits high upon Bell’s Bluff. While the nativity itself is on private property, it can be seen from many vantage points in downtown Waynesville- even as far away as Interstate 44. The tradition was started by the Lion’s Club and the nativity’s maintenance has been adopted by the Pulaski County-Ft. Leonard Wood Shrine Club. The nativity is now lit each year during the Christmas On The Square celebration.
It will be lit nightly through at least December 25th.
Hilton Holiday Lights, Richland
Dr. Shad Hilton and family invite you to enjoy Hilton Holiday Lights display at 601 E. Main Street in Richland. This professional quality light show boasts over 20,000 lights including a 20 foot tall “mega tree”- all sequenced to seven Christmas songs and lasting 25 minutes. The Hilton’s have spent hundreds of hours since August designing and implementing this year’s show. Their reward is seeing a line of cars watching the display and hearing the children’s excitement as “Let It Go” from Frozen starts playing. They do not require an admission fee to watch the display- but they are accepting donations for a new playground at Richland Elementary School. Weather permitting, the lights are on Sunday-Thursday 5:30 until 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 10:00 p.m. The Hilton family kindly ask you to pull safely to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights while watching the display. Tune your radio to 99.9 FM to hear the music while you watch the lights dance to the tunes.
The display will run through January 3rd. You can follow Hilton Holiday Lights on Facebook for further information and details on upcoming displays- including a Halloween display for 2016.
For more things to see and do in Pulaski County USA visit www.PulaskiCountyUSA.com
Pulaski County USA 