Ozark County’s own ‘festival of lights’

Beginning Dec. 1, Ozark County residents and visitors can enjoy the bright and appealing Christmas light display at Rocky Top Campground and Cabins on Highway 160 at the top of the Tecumseh curves. Joe Easterday, who owns the resort with his wife, Diane, and their son Josh Easterday, with several relatives and friends, have worked hard to create the large, annual Christmas light show at the resort. Filled with dozens of lighted decorations and inflatables and thousands of lights, Joe said the display is “no Branson, but it’s something the kids and people of Ozark County can enjoy.” The drive-through display, now in its third year, weaves around the campground. It includes large, lighted reindeer, angels and trees, blowups of Santa, Snoopy, reindeer, teddy bears and snowmen, and features thousands of lights wrapped around trees and including Rocky Top’s first “tree of lights.” The drive-through display will be open from Dec. 1 to Jan. 1, and it’s free to view. An open house will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in the resort’s community room. Hot chocolate, coffee and hot apple cider will be served along with “lots of cookies and candy,” the Easterdays said. Donations will be accepted and will be given to the Ozark County Food Pantry, Joe said.