2 Million Christmas Lights and Counting

By Christian Price, News9.com INsite Team

KINGFISHER, Okla. -- It started out as the dream of two Christmas fanatics with the desire to spread Christmas cheer. Now, Kingfisher In Lights has over two million lights in 83 displays, and the annual event shows no signs of slowing down.

Bonnie Bamberg is one of the original volunteers from 1966. She said she's amazed by how far visitors have traveled throughout the years.

"We have people coming through from everywhere out of state," Bamberg said. "They're traveling through and they see the lights."

Another original founder, Rusty Sanders, knew exactly what he wanted to decorate.

"This bridge is at least 100 years old," Sanders said. "When we decided to do this, this is what my family wanted to do."

Sanders has passed on his passion for Christmas to his two sons, Chad and Chris.

Chad is one of the directors for Kingfisher In Lights. He's also the guy that helps build the displays and keeps them working throughout the season.

His brother, Chris, came up with a new Christmas display involving a dragon for this year.

"My brother Chris designed it and drew it," Chad said. "He has 32,500 lights on him. This was one of those projects that just kind of sprung up over night."

Visitors are encouraged to come out and view this city park that's been converted into a Christmas wonderland. You can drive through the displays in your car, take a carriage ride or ride in the train's heated cars.

"If you don't get the Christmas spirit coming through here, then there's something wrong somewhere," Sanders said.