Nothing says the holidays like spending time with friends and family and witnessing together thousands of twinkling lights shining on a cold winter night. While there are lots of light experiences in and close to the greater Houston area, Katy is lucky be close to one of the best light experiences at Dewberry Farms. It's time again to bundle up the kids and invite the family out to experience the Trail of Lights.
KATY MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2018
by Natalie Cook Clark
The Holidays at Dewberry
Dewberry Farm's Trail of Lights debuted last holiday season. The heart of the light show is 15 acres and included six themed areas including Toyland, Santa's Village, Enchanted Garden, Gingerbread Town, Winter Wonderland, and a life size nativity scene. "The idea to add the Trail of Lights came about mainly because we were looking for ways to extend our Fall season," said owner Larry Emerson. "We purchased an additional 15 acres on the backside of the original 100 acres just for the lights. Roads had to be constructed, electrical power brought in, trees cleared and 14 special Christmas trailers built."
(The Trail of Lights opened last year at Dewberry Farms.)
The Trail of Lights is not the only area at Dewberry Farm with Christmas lights. To get to the Trail of Lights visitors are taken by tractor-pulled trailers through a 300 foot tunnel with fantastic "motion" lights. On the other side of the tunnel guests are met by a field of 30 giant light trees of all colors creating an amazing and magical view. And that is all before you even get to the Trail of Lights.
Other popular attractions join in on the holiday fun. The carousel, slide mountain and the animal barn and fences are adorned with millions of colorful lights. Live music from the Old Barn Stage serves as a musical backdrop as guests enjoy the festive flare. Fire pits provide the perfect setting for children to roast marshmallows.
Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and a crew of elves wait in the Old Country Store for visits and photos. Guests can warm up with hot chocolate, coffee, fudge and smores at Chocolate Lane. If you still are looking for that great holiday gift the Country Store offers a great selection of precious toys.
Adorable Photo Opps for Families
Still needing that family holiday picture? Photo ops are everywhere. There are giant 3D polar bears, gingerbread men, candy canes, reindeer pulled sleighs all provide great backdrops for capturing Christmas memories.
Fresh Cut Christmas Trees
Guests can take the ultimate souvenir home with a fresh cut Christmas tree. Since 2009 Christmas trees can be cut on weekends November 23 through December 16. After the tree cutting season ends guests can still enjoy the wonder of the Trail of Lights on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 4 pm to 9 pm until December 30. All of the usual farm activities are open during the Trail of Lights season.
For tickets to the Trail of Lights and other events at Dewberry Farms please visit their site.
"Our first season with Dewberry Farms was a huge disappointment but my wife and I decided to keep trying," said Emerson. "I'm very glad that we did." If you're looking for a fun, family holiday experience Dewberry Farm's Trail of Lights and other holiday offerings is the ultimate, local Christmas adventure.
Dewberry Beginnings
Larry and Mary Emerson bought the land that would eventually become the Dewberry Farms we know today back in 1996. Originally it was an agriculture research site. "It was a research farm where I did contract agriculture research for chemical and seed companies," explains owner Larry Emerson. "By the 2000, many of the agriculture chemical companies were merging which greatly reduced the amount of contract research available. I thought about growing trees or turf but those businesses cycle with the housing market," Emerson explains. That when a friend told him about what some farms in other states were doing with corn mazes and pumpkin patches. "Since we were located close to a huge population center, I thought the agriculture entertainment business (agritainment) had a good chance to succeed."
Since 2002 Dewberry Farms has been bringing visitors the wonder and fun of old fashioned farm life in a park that offers walks through their award winning corn maze, slide mountain, and animal encounters just to name some of their most popular attractions.
Enjoy more pictures below from Dewberry Farm's Trail of Lights now delighting Katy residents and travelers alike this holiday season.
For tickets to the Trail of Lights and other events at Dewberry Farms please visit their site.
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