It’s a tradition that’s been loved by Odessans for years and on Thursday night, it brought back more Christmas cheer.
On Thursday, the biggest light show between El Paso and Dallas was lit up for the holiday season.
Odessa’s popular Starbright Village Christmas Light show opened to the public at McKinney Park at 625 N. Pool Road with its opening ceremony and Christmas tree lighting.
“I’m really excited,” City of Odessa Parks and Rec Executive Director Steve Patton said. “I’m excited every year because it’s a wonderful, neat event for Odessa and everyone in the surrounding communities and the official lighting of the Christmas tree.”
Thursday’s ceremony included performances from choirs from different schools in Odessa as well as cheer and dance team performances as well as an appearance by Santa Claus.
Thursday before the ceremony was filled with numerous last second tasks for the crew members.
“I had crews running all over this park, testing lightbulbs and getting electricity distributed out appropriately,” Patton said. “We had a computer glitch for the animation that we’re trouble shooting but everything else was good to go.”
The event not only included the opening of Starbright Village but also the lighting of the community Christmas Tree.
Starbright Village contains the largest display of lights in the Permian Basin with over 300,000 lights and holiday themed displays that bring the Christmas season to life.
It’ll be opened to the public from 6-11 p.m. every day until Jan. 1.
For some people, it was their first time out at the opening ceremony for Starbright Village.
“We just wanted to bring the kids out here to see the lights,” said Christina Figueroa who was with her family including her two children. “We’re pretty excited.”
For others, it’s an event they return to each year.
That included Stephanie Martinez who was out with her three children for the fourth consecutive
“It brings my kids so much joy each year,” Martinez said. “They know every year that Christmas is around the corner when we come out here. they want to see the lights and we always come. Even my family that comes from out of time comes here to see the lights. It’s so much fun.”
Each year, a new addition is added to Starbright Village.
“We love how they add new lights each year,” Martinez said. “It’s not just the same. Each year is different.”
This year’s new addition is a horse with a cowboy who swings a lasso that spells out “Happy Holiday” that unfortunately had technical difficulties on Thursday.
“It’s a great, great new display,” Patton said. “We are missing a piece of the computer so all the animation on that one won’t work until Sunday. It’s just now coming in. We’ll have that glitch taken care on Sunday. I’m excited to see it in full working order.”
Patton said that all the other lights on Thursday were working according to plan.
Starbright Village is put on by the Odessa Parks and Recreation Department.
With over 300,000 lights, the holiday theme displays bring the season to life.
Only the walking trail was open Thursday night. The drive-thru viewing begins Friday.
Starbright Village was started back in 1999 when the community Christmas Tree was moved from City Hall due to space issues.
The tree lighting originally took place on the south side of City Hall before its relocation.
The tree was lit officially by Odessa Mayor Javier Joven.
For more information about Starbright Village, go to tinyurl.com/2p9y627f
If you go:
- What: Starbright Village
- When: Now through Jan. 1 (6-11 p.m.)
- Where: McKinney Park, 625 N. Pool Road.
