Starry Nights
History:
Starry Nights first opened in 1994 and was operated by MIFA(Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association). During the original Starry Nights, hundreds of visitors lined up in vehicles nightly along Walnut Grove to drive through the park's 1.3 miles of exhibits to see the illusion of a giant ball of lights rolling down a hill or a snowman skating and falling into the water. In addition to the holiday exhibits, each car received a locally produced music cassette/CD and a narration of that year's theme. Starry Nights closed in 1999 due to declining revenues and because it became too labor intensive for the non-profit agency. MIFA sold off parts of the exhibits to an Arkansas farmer and other pieces to Southaven, MS.
After ten years without the amazing Christmas light show, Starry Nights returned in 2009 under the new ownership of the Shelby Farms Conservancy. Many of the same exhibits were recreated and the old incandescent lights were replaced with new environmentally friendly LED lights. New to Starry Nights was the addition of "No Cars" night to promote cycling, walking and jogging. Shelby Farms hopes to continue to grow Starry Nights over the next five years to help it once again become one the largest and most talked about Christmas light shows in the United States.
Electrical Design:
Quick Facts:
- • 1.5 Million LED lights on 25 exhibits, reducing the energy cost by approximately 85%.
- • Over 18 months of planning.
- • At least 1972 Volunteers donated their time.
- • Over 5 miles of steel through out 1.5 miles of exhibits.
- • One would have to travel 1300 miles outside of Memphis to find a show that compares.