Lauren McKinney
Staff Writer
With the holiday season coming into full swing, the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site annual light show returns.
The light show goes from 5:30 to 11 p.m. every night until Dec. 31. There are different displays that light up in accordance to music. People can park in the Historic Site’s parking lot and tune into 99.5 FM and listen to the nine songs that the lights accompany.
The show began in 2011 as a thank you to the community of Laramie from the Historic Site.
“We just thought it would be kind of fun for the community and also our way of saying thanks to the community,” said Deborah Cease, superintendent of the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.
Additionally, the light show is a way to let the community know that the staff of the site is still there in the winter.
“We don’t want to just lay dormant…in the wintertime and what better way to [say] ‘hey we’re here’ than a bunch of flashing lights right? That would get everybody’s attention,” said Cease. “We still wanted the public to know that we’re here. We’re working on things. We’re fixing exhibits. We’re repairing buildings. We’re here.”
The staff at the site are the people who set up the light show. Two staff members are responsible for putting up over 10,000 lights and 20 displays for the show.
“It’s not just a matter of once the lights are up, they’re up. Every day before the show goes on, we have to check the lights and make sure everything goes [well] and we haven’t blown any fuses. So every day it’s a planned thing for the show,” said Cease.
In addition to the light show, the historic site has a one day light trail event. Visitors can walk around the grounds and get an up close look at the lights and displays. This year’s trail walk will take place Dec. 14.
“It was basically a response to the public wanting to be able to be on the grounds at night with the lights so they could immerse themselves in that experience,” said Cease.
Fremont Electric and the Wyoming Territorial Park Historic Association sponsor the event each year. Fremont Electric helps put up the lights on all of the 200 foot pine trees involved in the light show.
“They’re our sponsor every year, and they donate their staff, their equipment and their time to do this display,” said Cease. “Without those two groups, we would not be able to put on the [high] quality show that we do.”
Cease also has a personal investment in the event. As a Christmas lover and superintendent of the site, she said she wants the event to be a personal thank you to the community and a fun event for people to enjoy.
“When you give a woman the love of Christmas and 10,000 lights, I’m gonna make something happen. I truly do love Christmas,” said Cease.
Her favorite part of the event is being able to see all of the visitors’ smiles as they enjoy the shoe and check out all of the different displays. This year, visitors are welcome to walk through the warden’s house built in 1875. The gift shop will also be open. In coming years, Cease said she hopes the show will continue to expand along with the trail.
Everyone is welcome to come to the light show and light trail event. Cease said it is a great family and date night event.
“Just take a moment out of your crazy, busy month and just come stroll along the lights,” said Cease.
