Starry Nights opens tonight! Closed to cars on Monday for special run, walk, ride event!

After a decade of darkness, tonight is the grand re-opening of Starry Nights—the Mid-South’s most spectacular drive-through holiday light show. The event is presented by First Tennessee and will run from November 27 through January 2, featuring dozens of enormous holiday displays illuminated with a million and a half environmentally friendly LED lights. And this year, Shelby Farms Park is closing the show to cars on November 30 for a special one-night-only event at which visitors can run, walk, jog, skate, or bike the Starry Nights for the first time!

Starry Nights, which was originally created by MIFA and ran each holiday season from 1994-1999, became a beloved holiday tradition for many Mid-South families. This is the first time the show will be open to pedestrians. The 2-mile route winds through the park, giving visitors on foot and bike a rare and unique view of the giant exhibits others only see through a car window. The loop begins at the Park entrance off Walnut Grove Road and Farm Road, and it ends at the Park’s Visitor Center with a holiday party featuring complimentary cocoa and snacks, and a visit from Santa!

The cost of entry for this exclusive event is $20 per adult, $10 for kids 10 and under and free for strollers. The event begins at 6pm and ends at 10pm. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Shelby Farms Park Conservancy. Run, Walk or Ride the Starry Nights is hosted by Jim Jaggers and the Memphis Grizzlies.

More information about Starry Nights below:

Shelby Farms Park Conservancy went back to the drawing board to re-imagine Starry Nights, and all the displays visitors will see are newly designed, constructed and wrapped with lights in 2009.

Some of the new displays will have environmental and natural themes, along with traditional holiday features and fun, whimsical pieces. Also new to the event will be a major gift shop and holiday village where visitors can purchase coffee, cocoa, keepsakes, the Starry Nights soundtrack, gifts and ornaments.

“Our vision for Starry Nights is to create something truly magical and unrivaled by any but the very best national holiday light shows,” said Masson. “And what better time than now to give Mid-Southerners a fun, affordable and unique holiday experience?”

Starry Nights will once again have a musical soundtrack, featuring local musicians coordinated by Dean Deyo of Memphis Music Foundation. Regena Bearden of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau is chairing the marketing committee.

“The return of Starry Nights is a great addition to Memphis’ regional attractions,” said Kevin Kane, president and CEO of Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s an opportunity to draw visitors to our city, boosting tourism and business during the holiday season. Starry Nights Memphis, like Shelby Farms Park, makes Memphis a better place to live, which makes Memphis a better place to visit.”

Starry Nights will open at Shelby Farms Park the day after Thanksgiving, November 27, and will run each evening until January 2, open from 6-10pm on Monday through Thursday and 6-11pm on the weekend. Prices will be $20 per car, $35 per shuttle, $50 for a minibus, and $150 for motor coaches. Visit www.starrynightsmemphis.org, become a fan of Starry Nights on Facebook, or call (901)-767-PARK for more information.

Proceeds from Starry Nights will benefit the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to help Shelby Farms Park reach its potential as a celebrated 21st century park that defines and shapes a great city. Get involved by calling (901) 767-PARK, visiting our Web site at www.shelbyfarmspark.org, or becoming a fan of the Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShelbyFarmsPark.