On a recent clear and starry night, the sounds of sleigh bells and "oohs" and "ahhhs" were the only things heard for miles around.
The third annual Christmas in the Desert event, featuring wagon rides through twinkling lights, runs through Saturday at the Pantano Riding Stables on South Houghton Road.
On Friday, three pairs of Belgian horses pulled three different hay wagons filled with parents and their children. The wagons take a three-quarter-of-a-mile trip to view the desert decorated with 40,000 Christmas lights.
"The trip takes between 20 and 35 minutes depending on the horses," said Tim Show, who owns the Christmas in the Desert show and leases the use of the land from Pantano Riding Stables.
Several generations of Shows help set up and run the event, which requires more than a mile of extension cords. It continues from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday. The $6 cost (free for kids 2 and younger) includes the hay ride, a visit to Santa's workshop and time by a campfire.
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For an extra $5, folks can get their photo taken with Santa Claus - though he'll be unavailable on Saturday (you can guess why).
"It gets bigger every year," said Nuja Show, Tim Show's wife. "It's family fun and we are trying to keep it affordable for everyone."
People have even donated their displays to the event. One of its big attractions is the rural setting, Nuja Show added.
"We don't have the hustle and bustle of Winterhaven," she said, referring to the popular but crowded light display in midtown. "Out here you can hear the bells on the horses and we have Christmas music throughout."
The setting drew Diana Manore, whose son Elijah Manore enjoyed the 80-foot light tunnel.
"It's very well put together and it's really beautiful," she said of the display. "It's nice being out in the open air and being with the family. Not only are you enjoying the beautiful lights but you can see the stars … you never see the stars in the city."
If you go
• What: Christmas in the Desert
• When: 5:45-8:45 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday
• Where: Pantano Riding Stables, 4450 S. Houghton Road
• Cost: $6; free for children 2 and younger. A 5x7 photo with Santa is $5; Santa will not be available Saturday
• Reservations are suggested: Call 298-8980
Contact photographer David Sanders at dsanders@azstarnet.com or 573-4155.
