Woodward, Okla. — The Crystal Christmas Opening Night Celebration has returned.

After having to be cancelled last year because of ongoing construction at the park, the opening night celebration is back on this year with all the traditions that Woodward residents have come to love.

“We’ll have a big, grand entrance for Mrs. Claus who will be our emcee for the evening,” said Debbie Gentry, chairman of the Crystal Christmas committee.

“Of course, Santa Claus will be here too in his house and kids can visit with him there and get their picture taken with him,” Gentry said.

There is live entertainment scheduled for the evening, she said, as well as “our big fireworks display, which is choreographed with the music.”

“People really enjoy that,” she said.

Then of course, to kick off the Crystal Christmas light festival, there will be the traditional flipping of the switch by the Chamber’s 2010 Citizen of the Year Deena Fisher.  But since the event wasn’t held last year, Fisher will be joined by the 2009 Citizen of the Year Roscoe Hill to help do the honors.

“It’s just a thrill, especially for the little kids to see all the lights come on at once; it’s like wow!” Gentry said.

“I think everybody will be surprised with how bright the park is going to be this year,” she said, noting that approximately  a dozen new displays with LED lights have been added.

However, some of the old favorites are still around, too, Gentry said.

“We still have the sea serpent on the lake,” she said.  “And we will still have the tunnel as you come into the park.”

But the additional displays aren’t the only thing new to Crystal Christmas this year, Gentry said.

“We have a new gift shop this year, so everybody should be sure to stop in and check it out.  It has lots of Christmas stuff and gift ideas,” she said.

The gift shop will once again be located in the parking lot south of the stadium, she said, noting that Santa’s house will be there too because “parking is just easier there.”

Speaking of parking, Gentry said there will be some things that drivers will need to keep in mind as they plan to come visit the Crystal Christmas celebration this year.

First of all, she said visitors are encouraged to not park in the lot south of the bandshell.

“We’re trying to keep people out of there because it’s safer not to have people driving in and out of there when other people are walking through the park,” she said.

Second, although some shuttle service will be provided from other parking areas, the parking lot north of the bandshell is being reserved for handicapped persons, Gentry said.

“We don’t want them to have to walk a long ways,” she said.

Finally, in addition to parking around the stadium and fair barns, parking will also be available at Fuller Park, she said.

If you want to get a good parking spot, Gentry suggested coming early and helping to support the Woodward Band Boosters and FFA who will be selling refreshments starting at 5 p.m. at the gazebo near the bandshell.  The band boosters will be serving hamburgers, chips and pop, while the FFA kids will be serving hot chocolate, coffee and homemade desserts.

People also may want to come out a little early, Gentry said, because the celebration will start promptly at 6 o’clock.

“It doesn’t last but about 30 minutes, but it’s a lot of fun,” she said.

After opening this Saturday, the Christmas light festival will continue through Dec. 31.  The displays will be available for viewing each night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the gift shop will be open nightly as well.

Then on weekends, Santa will be welcoming visitors at his house on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Live Nativity scenes will also be held on Thursday s and Fridays in December, Gentry said.

A new event this year will be 2 performances by the Crystal Christmas Community Choir, which is led by Les Castor.  The choir is set to perform on Dec. 11 and Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. each evening.

Gentry said volunteers are still needed to help work the front gate, back gate and the gift shop on various days.  To sign-up to help, she said to contact Karla Wilson at the Chamber of Commerce at 256-7411.