6th Annual Walking Through Wonderland 

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You’re invited to an enchanting Visit Effingham experience!
Walking Through Wonderland will host its 6th annual walk-thru event Wednesday, November 25th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. For one night only, Wonderland in Lights will close to all vehicles and offer visitors an opportunity to get up close and personal with our larger-than-life light displays. This event is free to the public, but
donations are welcome.
View the displays at your own leisure, listen and sing along to your favorite Christmas music with ‘Friends of Frosty.’ Wave hello to
Santa Claus and see his reindeer up close (also keep an eye out for The Effingham Grinch and other holiday characters – cast by EHS Drama) when you reach the end of the walk. Complimentary refreshments, including hot cocoa and cookies, will be available fireside, while supplies last, courtesy of Dan Hecht Chevrolet-Toyota. Joe Sippers Café, Mac Daddy, Macklin Meadow Kettle Corn, Market Street Treats and Marj’s Macarons will have food and drinks available for purchase, as well.
Don’t forget to stop by Visit Effingham’s Holiday Headquarters to pick up free holiday souvenirs, color a holiday postcard, write a letter to Santa, decorate a cookie with the Kiwanis Club of Effingham County and get your face painted by the Dieterich Art Program. These activities are free to the public.
This year, Ember A Capella will welcome guests at the start of the walk from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., setting a festive tone with their seasonal harmonies. While you’re beginning the walk, stop by to purchase tickets for the Effingham County CEO’s North Pole Pop-Up, coming Sunday, December 20th.
A heartfelt thank-you to the First Responders Children’s Foundation and the Effingham Police Department for five wonderful years of the Toy Express. While it won’t be rolling through this year, we’re grateful for all the holiday magic it brought to our event.
To help everyone enjoy the evening, Goeckner Brothers, Inc. will provide free golf cart shuttles to take guests to and from the end of the walk, where the main event activities are held. This is a great option for those with limited mobility or little legs who need a break. The golf carts will not be driving through the lights.
Parking will be limited at Community Park, so please consider using our free shuttles, operated by Wad It Up Transportation. The shuttle will run continuously, from 5 to 8:00 p.m., and will pick up and drop off at the Courthouse Museum parking lot.
Extend your evening of holiday cheer at ‘Light up the Lawn’ –where our larger-than-life, 3-D holiday light displays glimmer and shimmer in Downtown Effingham. Drive by the Effingham County Courthouse Museum lawn to see the ‘Royal Present,’ the ‘Heart of Christmas’ walk-thru ornament, ‘Santa’s Sleigh and His Reindeer,’ the walk-thru ‘Gingerbread House,’ the ‘Teddy Bear,’ the walk-thru ‘Hot Cocoa Mug,’ ‘Santa and his favorite reindeer,’ and, the star of the show, our 34-foot ‘Christmas Tree.’ Get out of the car to see the lights up close and pose with our ‘Reindeer Family’ and ‘Polar Bear Family,’ as well!
The Wonderland in Lights will be open to vehicles – excluding the evening of the walk – seven days a week. The official season runs from Thanksgiving through the New Year, from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information, call the Effingham Tourism Office at 217.342.531