The Future Is Bright!

The Branson Christmas Coalition has announced an additional element to their work to grow and enhance the holiday season in this region, and Chick-fil-A Branson is the first example of the non-profit’s ambitious plans for Ozark Mountain Christmas seasons to come.

Nearly16,000 feet of lighting and 34,000 LED bulbs cover the upper level of the popular Chick-fil-A Branson restaurant on all four sides, creating a kind of Christmas beacon on the hill leading into Historic Downtown Branson. A 24’Christmas tree of lights sits atop the roof now, and more is planned for the coming years – both at Chick-fil-A Branson and throughout the community.

“The Coalition remains committed to developing Branson as America’s Christmas Tree City,” explained Ann McDowell, Executive Director of the Branson Christmas Coalition since 2015 when it was formed. “We believe it’s time to add ‘spectacular lighting displays’ to our product development mission, in addition to promoting the largest display of unique, beautiful and meaningful Christmas trees in all the country.”

The Branson Christmas Coalition hired a professional holiday lighting designer who visited Branson last summer and created the impressive look implemented on the Chick-fil-A Branson store. Vendors were sourced for the string lights from across the country. A local fabrication company designed and built more than 85custom fixtures used to hold the lights on the building, so that installation and removal could be accomplished in days, instead of months.

“This is a way to support our community’s efforts to grow and enhance the season,” says Kevin Hutcheson, operator of Chick-fil-A Branson. “This lighting package has helped us create a great holiday experience for our customers. It’s been a wonderful start, but we’re not finished yet!”

Plans are underway now to enhance the Chick-fil-A Branson lighting display and secure additional locations and resources to implement similar ‘spectacular lighting’ installations for the 2022 Christmas season in Branson. Area businesses, property owners and organizations who are interested in implementing a large-scale lighting package at their location in 2022, are encouraged to contact the Branson Christmas Coalition.

“We are grateful to Kevin and Chick-fil-A Branson for providing this amazing example of what is possible with professional lighting design and installation,” stated McDowell. “Our hope now, is to apply what we’ve learned and identify more partners in this effort to light up Branson like never before. Christmas trees were a great start that will continue, but the chance to impact visitors with spectacular lighting, adds a new dimension to Ozark Mountain Christmas that will further establish our destination as THE place to visit from November1 through January 7 each year.”