A throng of hundreds — perhaps thousands — flocked to downtown Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to see the ceremonial “lights on” event for the inaugural Route 66 Christmas Chute.
The chute, which essentially is 10 themed canopies heavily decorated along a closed three-block stretch of Dewey Avenue (aka Route 66), will sparkle daily through Jan. 1.
The Route 66 Christmas Chute consists of 35,000 feet of lights, 1,100 feet of decorations, 15,000 feet of garland, 3,500 icicles and 1,100 grand ball ornaments, culminating with a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree in front of the Creek County Courthouse. It was put together with $800,000 in donations and countless volunteer hours.
Many who experienced it on opening night were agog, including Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin:
More images, video and reactions on social media:
Hours are from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the lights turned on from 4 to 11 p.m. The chute also will host special events each weekend.
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Someone in Sapulpa must have watched Northern Exposure: