On Nov. 25, Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols, N.Y. offered a sneak preview of the sound and light show offered during Winterfest, which officially begins on Friday at 6 p.m., and will run on the weekends through Jan. 3, except for Dec. 6. This free event will offer the sound and light shows, and horse or tractor drawn wagon rides, and much more.
Singing Trees are a part of Winterfest. Located in the lobby at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y., the trees will sing holiday songs daily from 4:30 p.m. until midnight. Winterfest officially begins on Friday at 6 p.m., and will run on the weekends through Jan. 3, except for Dec. 6.
On Nov. 25, Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols, N.Y. offered a sneak preview of the sound and light show offered during Winterfest, which officially begins Friday at 6 p.m., and will run on the weekends through Jan. 3, except for Dec. 6. This free event will offer the sound and light shows, and horse or tractor drawn wagon rides, and much more. (Photos by Wendy Post)
On Nov. 25, Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols, N.Y. offered a sneak preview of the sound and light show offered during Winterfest, which officially begins Friday at 6 p.m., and will run on the weekends through Jan. 3, except for Dec. 6. This free event will offer the sound and light shows, and horse or tractor drawn wagon rides, and much more.
On Nov. 25, Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols, N.Y. offered a sneak preview of the sound and light show offered during Winterfest, which officially begins Friday at 6 p.m., and will run on the weekends through Jan. 3, except for Dec. 6. This free event will offer the sound and light shows, and horse or tractor drawn wagon rides, and much more.
On Nov. 25, Tioga Downs Casino in Nichols, N.Y. offered a sneak preview of the sound and light show offered during Winterfest, which officially begins on Friday at 6 p.m., and will run on the weekends through Jan. 3, except for Dec. 6. This free event will offer sound and light shows, horse or tractor drawn wagon rides, and much more.
Friday kicks off Winterfest at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. – a holiday experience that includes lights galore, horse and tractor drawn rides, singing Christmas Trees, and much more throughout the River Road Casino. The highlight of Winterfest is the sound and light show that was setup and designed by Ken Williams, of W&W Landscaping in Apalachin, N.Y.
Winterfest will take place each weekend until Jan. 3, except for Dec. 6. Other features of Winterfest include ice sculpting, a holiday craft fair, a holiday wreath contest, an Ice Bar event, and much more. The sound and light shows, will take place between 6 and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 5 to 9 p.m. on Sundays, weather permitting.
Each sound and light show will last approximately nine minutes with two different shows presented every half hour.
Horse and tractor pulled wagon rides will take place on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 10 p.m. on the track outdoors, and on Sunday, Dec. 28. The rides will also take place on Monday, Dec. 29 from 5 to 9 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 30 from 5 to 9 p.m.; and on Wednesday, Dec. 31 from 5 to 9 p.m. Rides will take depart every 15 minutes. Winterfest will not take place on Dec. 24 or 25, but will take place on New Year’s Eve from 6 to 10 p.m., with fireworks at midnight and music by Virgil Cain.
The lighted tractor parade contest will take place on Sunday, Dec. 13. Participants can enter their lawn tractors, farm tractors, and even wagons in the parade. For more details, visit www.tiogadowns.com.
The wreath contest will take place Dec. 5 through Dec. 7, and will be on display. The winners will be announced on Dec. 14. Visit Tioga Downs’ website for more information.
Caroling will take place on Dec. 19 and 20, with groups from around the Southern Tier participating. The caroling will take place in the lobby area.
On Saturday, Dec. 27, an Ice Bar event will welcome guests to be served drinks on an actual ice bar, or sheet of ice.
When entering the grounds of Tioga Downs, guests are greeted by a lighted tree that is three stories high. Inside the lobby, singing Christmas Trees with bright, round eyes welcome guests to what Tioga Downs is describing as the ultimate holiday experience. The trees will sing holiday songs daily from 4:30 p.m. until midnight.
On Tuesday, media and guests got a sneak preview of the sound and light show, and had an opportunity to speak with Williams about what it took to put it together.
Williams, who does business as W&W Nursery also noted that the light show took approximately three weeks to set up, and that the RGB backdrop can deliver over 16-million colors and is accompanied by music for the shows.
He stated that the idea for the sound and light show was borne several years ago, but the flood stalled progress. Now, Williams is pleased that his vision has become a reality.
“I’m creative, and Tioga Downs recognized those talents,” added Williams
Williams is an artist who has also performed in several bands as a drummer. Landscaping was just another extension of his artistry, stated Williams of his business on Marshland Road in Apalachin, N.Y.
“To put this together,” Williams added of the sound and light show, “I just started to connect all the dots – and here we are.”
The best part of the event, as confirmed by Tioga Downs’ owner Jeff Gural, is that it is free.
“I’ve seen these shows in other places and you have to pay money,” stated Gural on Tuesday, “this one is free.” He also stated that it is “really designed to show everyone what we might do next.”
This tree, which is three stories high, will greet guests arriving for Winterfest at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. Winterfest begins Friday at 6 p.m., and will run on the weekends through Jan. 3, except for Dec. 6. This free event will offer the sound and light shows, and horse or tractor drawn wagon rides, and much more.
In conjunction with the opening of Winterfest on Friday, the Mayor of Nichols, Leslie Pelotte, will have her wishes come true thanks to a generous donation from Tioga Downs. New holiday lights will brighten Main Street in downtown Nichols, N.Y. with the switch flipped by the Mayor herself on Friday at 6 p.m. The community is welcomed to attend this event that is taking place on the opening night of Winterfest.
To learn more about Winterfest, visit www.tiogadowns.com.
