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A quarter of a million energy-efficient LED holiday lights will illuminate Indian Creek and the Train Depot Interpretive Center Friday when Caldwell ushers in the 2009 Christmas holiday season with its’ 2nd Annual Winter Wonderland Celebration.
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Dan Lea
dlea@idahopress.com
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

CALDWELL — A quarter of a million lights will set Indian Creek and the historic Caldwell Train Depot aglow Friday for the 2nd Annual Winter Wonderland Celebration.

The colorful event began a year ago to showcase the city's redevelopment project along Indian Creek and the opening of the Train Depot Interpretive Center. The inaugural event drew thousands of people who ushered in the holiday season with family and friends in grand style.

Multi-colored, energy-efficient LED lights will illuminate two pedestrian bridges, trees, shrubs and holiday displays along Indian Creek and leading to the Train Depot Interpretive Center.

"It's going to be quite the event," Caldwell City Clerk Debbie Geyer said. "This year everything is going to be lit up, and we've got synchronized music to go with the lighting. The lights are going to be absolutely gorgeous."

"Winter Wonderland is an amazing celebration that brings families together to kick-off the start of the holiday season," Mayor Nancolas said. "Last year's inaugural event brought thousands of visitors to our downtown to revel in the magnitude of the lighting displays. This year promises to be bigger and better and we invited everyone to enjoy the spectacle with us. We hope that this event gives Caldwell residents another reason to be proud of this great city."

An expanded light display, Christmas tree lighting ceremony, treats and activities for the kids, food and craft vendors, live entertainment, tours of the Train Depot, and train rides for the kids are among the major attractions.

"Last year we didn't light up everything we wanted to," Ken Wein, a VISTA program community redevelopment employee said. "We're featuring a whole new polar bear display with 10  figures and four Nutcracker soldiers. Plus, we've added more lights to the creek itself."

Wein admits he didn't anticipate another challenge: "I forgot that those darn trees grow, so we're going to use more lights on them too."

Children will have a chance to share their Christmas wishes with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Train Depot, enjoy a train ride and view a wide array of miniature train displays. Clyde the camel pays a visit to this year's event as does Pansy the Clown with delightful balloon art.

Live music performed by a chamber orchestra, bell choirs, ensembles, duets and other musical groups will ring out in the crisp November air from inside the Depot.

An entertainment stage will also be set up at the tree lighting area on Indian Creek. The Encore Singers and ABC Puppet Team will fill visitors will holiday cheer beginning at 6:40 p.m., and craft vendors will line the area between the Depot and the creek.

"There will be lots of Christmas craft items, so be prepared to do some shopping," Geyer said.

Food vendors will also sell hot chocolate, hot dogs, lattes, cappuccinos and warm spiced cider.

At 7 p.m., Caldwell's two community Christmas trees will be lit by Mayor Garret Nancolas and Charles Bratton, who donated one of the two blue spruce trees. Purple Sage Golf Course provided the second tree.

New this year is the crowing of the King and Queen of the Winter Wonderland. The two honorees have been selected from among the community's senior citizens for their contributions to senior programs.