Jolly Holiday Lights takes measures to handle record-breaking visits
Jolly Holiday Lights drew a record-breaking number of visitors during its opening weekend, leading the Make-A Wish Iowa event to reach capacity even before its posted closing time. Today, organizers announced new measures to improve signage and traffic flow at the event’s new location at Adventureland in Altoona. Wait times will be displayed on Adventureland’s entrance sign, and staff will direct traffic at the entrance. Event officials have reached out to the Iowa Department of Transportation to potentially use the digital overpass signs to display relevant information. Additionally, attendees are encouraged to visit the Jolly Holiday Lights Facebook page before heading out to see posted wait times and whether the park is reaching capacity. Organizers say lines should be shorter on weeknights than on the weekends. More than 2,400 cars toured the lights last weekend, with a total of almost 5,500 vehicles during the first six days. So far, $50,000 has been raised for Iowa children.