June 14, 2023 3:00 a.m.

Timed entry and parking reservations for the Holiday Lights event at Shore Acres State Park near Coos Bay are now available.

An Oregon Parks and Recreation Department release said Holiday Lights runs from November 23rd through December 31st. Parking slots are available for 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. daily. A reservation is needed for a vehicle to park at the event and includes entry for everyone inside the vehicle.

Park manager for the Sunset Bay Management Unit Lee Ricci said “The new entry system launched last year with the support of the Friends of Shore Acres”. Ricci said, “Visitor feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and we’ve worked with the friends to continue the system this year”. OPRD said the new system led to quick entry into the parking area without waiting in long lines on the road. The system quickly improved safety for everyone traveling on Cape Arago Highway and smoothed the overall process, according to OPRD.

The Friends of Shore Acres sponsors the annual Holiday Lights, which began in 1987. The display was paused for 2020 and 2021 for visitor safety during the pandemic. It resumed in 2022.

The $5 fee for parking and timed entry is the same amount as the normal parking permit price for the park. The fee may be waived if the person making the reservation has one of the following and selects the option during the reservation process:

*A 12 or 24-month parking permit

*Special access pass for either veterans with a service-connected disability, or foster, guardian and adoptive foster parents of Oregon foster children

*Current Oregon State Park camping confirmation that coincides with the date of the event visit or

*An Oregon Pacific Coast Passport

Reservations can also be made by calling 800-452-5687. Visitors do not have the option to purchase a parking permit onsite to park.

More information about Oregon State Parks is linked: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/