Christmas at Saunders Farm - Light & Sound Show (Nightly Drive-Through)
/KITC would like to welcome back, guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel. During the summer, when there isn’t a pandemic, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival. During the winter (when it’s not a pandemic), a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.
Everyone will be celebrating Christmas in a different manner this year. Different doesn’t mean a person cannot have fun and create new traditions. In keeping with this idea, our family decided to check out the Holiday Light and Sound Drive-Through show at Saunders Farm.
Like many families, we have been to Saunders Farm too many times to count. I was curious to see how they would change the farm into a winter wonderland. Upon arrival, I could see they had delivered on all fronts. The road leading into the farm looked like the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie. There was a firepit where families could warm up along with a food stand where it was possible to purchase seasonal treats.
We were there to experience the drive-through show. That area was also festively decorated. Perhaps more than the decorations, I appreciated the short wait time to enter the attraction. The ticket was a timed entry ensuring that there were not any hour long waits or a snake line of vehicles idling away.
The drive-through route follows the same route as the Halloween haunted wagon ride. I will not give anything away but it was fun to see how some of the Halloween scares had been transformed for Christmas. We set our car radio to an FM station that had an endless loop of holiday songs. Of course, Mariah Carey was one of the featured artists. Holiday Light and Sound Drive-Through
We were blown away by all the lights and Christmas set pieces. The lighting effects were far beyond anything I expected. There were plenty of lit up reindeer and trees. My favourite were the snow globes at the end.
We drove through at ten kilometres an hour and the entire experience lasted about twenty to twenty five minutes. It was so good I would have been willing to pay again to do the drive a second time.
As mentioned, it was an option to stop after and enjoy a treat while warming up by the firepit. The farm shop also is open selling items like pre-cut Christmas trees and wreaths.
We did not stay as it had already been a full day but would do so next time.
While the light show was outstanding perhaps the thing I was most grateful for was just the sense of normalcy even for a short period of time. We were a family enjoying a family activity and not worrying about the current situation.
That is not to say there were any shortcuts for health protocols. All staff were wearing masks and everyone was socially distanced. We felt very safe from the moment we arrived to departure.
Post-COVID, I hope Saunders Farm will continue the Country Christmas Nighttime Experience. I could see this becoming a yearly tradition for many families, including ourselves.
Saunders Farm also offers a daytime experience where you can visit a Christmas market, enjoy many outdoor attractions like the hedge mazes and buy a pre-cut Christmas tree. Of course, it is important to follow all COVID-19 protocols and check the Saunders Farm website for any changes.
For more information, visit www.saundersfarm.com.
Disclaimer: Stephen and his family were provided free entry but all opinions are my own.
