While some folks take down a few boxes of Christmas decor from their attics, Lane Wetherington’s show-stopping displays filled dozens of semi-trucks, that have been unloaded at the Charlie Grimes Family Agricultural Center at the Florida Strawberry Festival grounds for his Christmas Lane, an event that attracts more than 20,000 visitors annually.
“It’s a labor of love and I couldn’t count the number of hours volunteers put into it,” said Wetherington. “The event is in the planning phase throughout the year but at this time of year Christmas Lane is a daily part of my conversation.”
Packed with lights, giant trees, festive scenes, rides and concessions, the event is a family-friendly experience that’s brought holiday magic to the greater Plant City area for 42 years.
This year, in addition to adding new light displays, Wetherington has brought back the live nativity on select nights. “We had been wanting to do it but didn’t have the staff, then Miss Tammy volunteered to step in and she was a Godsend,” said Wetherington.
Tammy Chancey said she was up for the challenge. “We haven’t done the live nativity since COVID and it’s been requested often since the holiday is about Jesus and his birth,” she said. “We’ll have a narrator that tells the Christmas story while it is re-enacted by costumed actors.”
Chancey said a live nativity is a labor intensive project but many local churches and high schools stepped up with volunteers for the cast (Mary, Joseph, the three wise men, shepherds, angels and baby Jesus) and crew. Farmers have volunteered their donkeys, baby sheep, goats and other livestock (they’ll be playing themselves).
She said there are still some slots open for volunteers. “If anyone is interested in volunteering, we still have a few nights where we’re missing some shepherds,” she sad.
The live nativity shows will be held nightly at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on December 7, 13, 14, 15, 20 and 21 and is free with admission to Christmas Lane.
Santa will be at Christmas Lane every night of the event. Guests are welcome to take their own photo with Santa but a professional photographer will be on hand to to take and print a photo for $15 per photo or two for $25.
Christmas Lane is open each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from November 29 to December 24 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It will be open the entire week Thursday, December 14 thru Sunday, December 24. Ticket booths open at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for ages 13 and up, $10 for ages four to 12 and free for children three and younger. Parking is free.
Tickets can be purchased online at christmaslane.com or at the gate.