Former NBC5 sports anchor Scott Murray, Mrs. Texas Rachel Hedstrom, Santa Claus and Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem W.B. “Zim” Zimmerman
Mrs. Texas Rachel Hedstrom, Former NBC5 sports anchor Scott Murray, Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem W.B. “Zim” Zimmerman and Santa Claus helped kick off the 2012 Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway with a special VIP night November 20.
Six North Texas families were selected to receive Gifts of Christmas, including a family 4-Pack of tickets to Gift of Lights, a Tom Thumb gift card to purchase their holiday dinner, and a free color photo with Santa. In addition, each family’s home exterior was professionally decorated with lights, including a 24” lighted wreath for their door.
The six families selected included Allison Adams of Keller and her children Lauren, 16, Colton, 14, and Carson, 10; Angie and Paul Akeman of Richardson with daughter Avery, 7; Sara and Matt Mitchell of Fort Worth with Jennipher, 14, Lia, 3, and Gabriella,1; Maria & Julio Ortega of Carrollton with Johnathan, 10, Julio, 8 and Carlos, 7; Sandra and Bill Powell with Adrian, 10, and Owen, 8; and Tonia and Matt Ramos of Lewisville with Belle, 6, Gabe, 4, and Abby, 7.
“The Gift of Lights is a labor of love and brings joy to thousands of kids and families,” said David Fred, CEO of Winterland, producer of Gift of Lights. “We work hard throughout the year to create a phenomenal show for the kids. It’s all worth it when we see the thousands of happy faces.”
Gift of Lights, a holiday spectacular drive-thru light show featuring more than two million LED lights, is open nightly through January 6, 2013. Visitors will enjoy more than 600 unique and exciting holiday displays across 1.7 miles at Texas Motor Speedway (3545 Lone Star Circle, Fort Worth). Lighted displays range from a 20-foot reindeer to Santa Claus, toy soldiers and a larger than life nativity scene to a reindeer flying school, Humpty Dumpty and a giant Abominable Snowman putting a star on the Christmas tree.
Entering from Gate 8 at the Speedway, guests pay $20 per car Friday, Saturday and Sunday and $15 per car Monday – Thursday. Tickets are available at the gate, or at area Tom Thumb stores and Walgreens with proceeds benefiting Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth, Tarrant Area Food Bank and 94.9 KLTY Christmas Wish.
Guests can drive through the colorful displays Sunday – Thursday 5:30 pm – 9 pm ... Friday and Saturday 5:30 pm – 10 pm. As each car reaches the end of the tour, visitors can stop at Rudolph’s Village to have a photo made with Santa.
For more information, visit http://www.giftoflightstms.com or get updates at facebook.com/GiftofLightsTexas.
Mrs. Texas Rachel Hedstrom greets a family at the kick off party for the Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway
Adrian Powell and Mrs. Texas Rachel Hedstrom strike a pose.
Scott Murray welcomes guests to the kick off party.
Trent Blackley, worship leader at The Heights Baptist Church in Richardson, sings a few carols.
Mrs. Texas Rachel Hedstrom prepares to throw the switch to light the displays at Gift of Lights - TMS
Mrs. Texas Rachel Hedstrom and Santa in the TMS Pace Car at Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway
The TMS Pace Car leads the way into the Gift of Lights
Kids admire the 20-foot tall reindeer
