November 22, 2020 8:40 a.m.

The Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights is underway through January first.

The event, which began in 1993, is presented by the Roseburg Rotary Club and features over a half million lights and more than 90 displays at River Forks Park, west of Roseburg.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, visitors have to purchase advance tickets online at www.uvfestivaloflights.com. Volunteers at the gate will scan each ticket before allowing vehicles to proceed.

Festival Chair Brian Prawitz said, “The goal is to keep everyone safe in their vehicles, with windows rolled up the entire time they are here”. He said organizers have set the standard very high in order to keep volunteers and guests safe.

While the drive-through portion of the festival remains open, a few elements have been postponed this year including the Holiday Village, wagon rides and the Nutcracker Ballet. Those events are expected to return in 2021.

In order to purchase tickets, visitors go to: www.uvfestivaloflights.com, scroll down to the purchase ticket button, use a debit or credit card, and print the ticket. The cost is $10 per car, plus an online processing fee.  Several special nights are on the schedule, allowing free admission for the customers of several sponsoring businesses. The list is posted on the website.

Proceeds from the Festival of Lights go to Rotary scholarships and other Rotary supported programs.

The festival is open nightly at 5:30 p.m. seven nights a week. It closes at 9:00 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and is open until 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.