Christmas will come early for those who enjoy driving through the annual Winter Wonderland Christmas Light Display at Sportsman Lake Park.

Cullman County Parks and Recreation has invested $10,000 into new light displays for the 13th annual event which kicks off Friday, Dec. 4. The park just off U.S. 31 North is currently closed to drive-through traffic while county park employees set up the lights. Visitors are still welcomed to park their vehicles to walk the trails and enjoy other park activities though.

This year, attendees can expect about a dozen new Christmas light features, said Doug Davenport, director of Cullman County Parks and Recreation. New displays include a candy cane archway, a Bethlehem scene, a gingerbread boy jumping on a trampoline and swinging on a swing, and of course, Santa Claus driving a dump truck, cop car and even shooting basketball.

“We got about $10,000 worth of lights for a big discount up in Tennessee,” Davenport said. “Plus, we’ve added a few other display features.”

Visitors can also ride the train around the park to take in the Christmas lights.

With admission at $5 per vehicle, residents can cruise through and stare in awe at beautiful Christmas scenes throughout the park. The attraction will be open from 5-9 p.m. through Dec. 23, however it will not be available Mondays and Tuesdays on Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15.

Much like decorating and putting up Christmas lights at your own home, transforming the park into a Winter Wonderland can often be a frustrating, time-consuming task. Everything has to be brought out of storage and tested before being placed at various locations through the park. From wise men to huge inflatable Santa Clauses, there’s something for everybody.

So many thousands of strands of lights are used — park employees have lost count — that they are wrapped around huge industrial wooden spools to keep them tangle-free.

Last year, roughly 5,500 vehicles passed through the park to view the lights, Davenport said.

Christmas is also coming to Ray Park in Dodge City. The park is closed to get ready for its own Christmas lights display and will reopen at 6 p.m. Dec. 4. Santa Claus will be on hand Fridays and Saturdays from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19.