CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville Speedway officially opened its annual Drive Thru Christmas Light Show on Tuesday. The show features over 3 million lights and dozens of displays.
Preparing the light show takes a lot of effort. “It’s a year-round process,” said Laura Scogin, who helps oversee all the Speedway events. “Whether it’s creating a new piece or refurbishing an old one, there’s always something to do. Setting it all up takes about three to three and a half weeks, and everything must be carefully mapped out to ensure it fits the space and has the electricity needed.”
Video by Wesley Irvin
The drive through lights have become popular and bring visitors from neighboring cities. “We see people drive in from places like Dickson, Hopkinsville and Madisonville,” Scogin said. “Some families make it an annual tradition, bundling up in blankets with hot chocolate as they ride through the displays.”
Future of the Speedway
However, the future of the light show is uncertain. With the City Council approving a $7 million plan to purchase the Clarksville Speedway for the Hazelwood Recreation Complex, the event may need to find a new home in the next few years. Scogin confirmed that the current lease guarantees the Drive Thru Christmas Light Show and the annual Montgomery County Fair will continue for at least two more years. “We’ve been given two more years under the lease,” she said. “After that, we’ll have to find another location if the sale goes through.”
Efforts to find a new site are ongoing, but there are challenges. “We’re actively looking for 35 to 40 acres in a good location,” Scogin said. “It’s not just about space; we need somewhere accessible with the infrastructure to support the displays, particularly electricity. Installing power for a temporary site would be incredibly expensive.” Alternatives, such as leasing farmland, have been explored. However, finding the right fit is hard. “We’ve even looked at sites like the area near where Buc-ee’s was planned, but the costs are just too high,” she said. “We’re determined to keep this going, but we haven’t found the perfect spot yet.
“Our goal is to continue the light show and the fair,” Scogin said. “If we can focus on these events, we believe we can make them even bigger and better.” For now, the light show will continue for at least two more years. “We’re committed to making these next two seasons as memorable as possible,” Scogin said.
For more
The Drive Thru Christmas Light Show is open now through Dec. 30, Fridays, Saturdays and holidays 5:30-10 p.m. or last car is gone, Sunday-Thursday 5:30-9 p.m., Dec. 27-30 5.30-8 p.m. Admission is $30 per car load (seven or less), $50 for vans or more than eight people, $100 for buses. Various discounts are available.
For more, visit the Clarksville Speedway website.
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