In a move long-rumored around Fishers, the popular long-time Reynolds Farm Equipment holiday light show will be moving to Conner Prairie. The move was announced in a joint news release issued by Reynolds & Conner Prairie. That news release is reprinted below in its entirety:
===================
Conner Prairie, Reynolds Farm Equipment, the Reynolds Family and the festival title sponsor Conner Prairie Alliance surprise Central Indiana residents with an early Christmas gift this year by announcing a sparkling, new addition to the previously announced A Merry Prairie Holiday festival arriving later this year. This new event promises to deliver endless opportunities for winter fun!
“Winter is always a special time at Conner Prairie thanks to our 40 year plus tradition of holiday festivities,” said Norman Burns, President, and CEO at Conner Prairie. “This year it will be even more so as we bring new experiences to the holiday season and carry on a time-honored family tradition by displaying the Reynolds Christmas lights donated by Gary Reynolds and his family across the grounds as part of the new A Merry Prairie Holiday Festival.”
The new A Merry Prairie Holiday festival at Conner Prairie debuts on November 29 and runs through December 31. A vast majority of 400 Reynolds Christmas light structures will be on display during all nights of the festival.
“Our Christmas light display was born out my father’s love for Christmas and our community,” said Gary Reynolds, owner and chairman of Reynolds Farm Equipment. “Transitioning our Christmas lights display to Conner Prairie ensures this tradition of celebrating Christmas with lights continue as part of Conner Prairie’s new A Merry Prairie Holiday festival.”
Founded in 1955 by farming husband and wife “Mac” and Arline Reynolds, Reynolds Farm Equipment is a regional John Deere retailer serving farmers, homeowners, landscapers and golf course operators throughout the Midwest. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ind., the company operates seven retail locations in Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.
The company is a long-time supporter of Conner Prairie. It is currently the title sponsor of the Museum’s 1859 Balloon Voyage and has donated more than $ 1million to the organization.
The arrival of the Reynolds Christmas Lights at A Merry Prairie Holiday is just one way members and guests can create new memories with their families while getting into the holiday spirit during this brand new festival.
Holiday activities include:
- Step into the wonder of the season as you stroll through Reynolds Christmas Lights display.
- Journey around Clowes Common where you will find holiday treats and eats, artisans working on their seasonal crafts, and special photo ops.
- Visit the North Pole Village.
- Enter the toy workshop and make a holiday gift with the help of Santa’s elves.
- Zoom down the Polar Bear Plunge dry snow tubing hill.
- Test your skill at the Reindeer Games Midway.
- Visit the Claus’ Cabin where you can visit with Mrs. Claus and drop off your letter to Santa.
- Hop aboard the Kringle’s Carousel to take a ride.
- Enjoy local entertainers and musicians performing throughout the evening on Blitzen’s Bandstand while you enjoy some fresh, warm holiday treats and beverages, under the glow of holiday lights on the Conner House and Animal Encounters Barn.
- Visit Prairietown where you will be wrapped in the warmth of Holidays through History:
- You can visit the 1860’s Hoosier Homefront, and Soldiers Camp to learn how they are celebrating the season during the troubling times of the Civil War.
- See classic Conner Prairie by Candlelight favorites, like Dr. Campbell’s Soiree, the disgruntled Mr. Fenton, and Mr. Whitaker’s Store, and the Curtis family making Christmas preparations.
- Witness the power of a second chance with a live reading from Charles Dickens a Christmas Carol and enjoy the sounds of Christmas Carolers.
- Sit down and warm up a spell while you hear holiday stories told through the use of historic Crankies.
- Climb aboard the Winterland Wagon Ride across Conner Prairie’s Historic Grounds through thousands of twinkling lights.
In addition to A Merry Prairie Holiday, family favorites such Breakfast and Dinner with Santa, Storytime with Mrs. Claus, and more are returning this winter season!
The Conner Prairie Museum Store will also be open during this time for all holiday gift-giving needs.
Visit connerprairie.org for more information on upcoming A Merry Prairie Holiday dates, ticketing pricing, and other upcoming events.
So now a time-honored tradition can be a cash cow for Conner Prairie….wonderfully disappointing.
Of course, you would not expect Conner Prairie to do as Reynolds did, leave it open to the public to enjoy and build memories on….for the time honored way, Reynolds did just give it freely to shared by all.
For your readers’ info:
Alison Lawson
8 hrs ·
After seeing so many comments regarding the Reynolds Lights Display yesterday, I feel like I need to say something.
Thank you to the people who understand the move and to the people who are appreciative of so many years of a free lights display. Your love and positivity is important to the Reynolds Family!
To the people who are angry and hateful: I totally get you, but you are angry because you’re sad. Something familiar has changed, and it’s upsetting. A tradition you may have shared with people you love… has become different.
If you’ve been to Fishers lately, you can see that it’s not the quiet, small town it used to be. Things are being built in the name of progress.
Mac and Arline Reynolds started Reynolds Farm Equipment in 1955. They based their business on a love of Christ, Family and Community. Fishers was a sleepy little town back in those days. In fact, there used to be a very special neighborhood (right off of 116th street/I69) that took in stranded commuters during the 1978 blizzard. Would you even think of doing that now?
Creating a lights display and providing it free for the public was a passion. Welders from RFE and local artists made it all come together. In 1991, the spectacular tradition was born.
In present day, traffic at 126th street and State Road 37 has become a problem. A motorcyclist was killed a few years ago right next to the entrance of the Fishers store… and that was on a sunny day. His memorial has even been bumped and broken by vehicles. People aren’t paying attention when they’re driving anymore. Recently, a crash occurred, killing people, on 465 when a semi rear-ended STOPPED traffic because he was reaching for his tea. Can you imagine if something like that happened while carloads of families were waiting to drive through the lights?
The Merry Prairie Holiday will become an interactive experience, similar to ‘The Headless Horseman’ events. The Reynolds Lights will be housed there with special nights set aside for a drive through. This is a tribute to Mac and Arline, as they loved and adored Conner Prairie. Please get all the information you need via Reynolds Christmas Lights Display at Conner Prairie’s Merry Prairie Holiday.
Even if you’re not a believer in Christ, when you see that cross at the Fishers store, remember Mac and Arline. They were pretty amazing people. They were my husband’s grandparents.
161