On December 6, Deep River County Park became a magical wonderland for ’Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Mill.
The event offered six-time slots from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., providing an unforgettable evening of holiday magic for guests to enjoy.
Luminaries lined the pathways, casting a warm, festive glow that captivated visitors.
Emily Trisler, communications director, and Kara Mackey, assistant superintendent of Special Facilities and Recreation for Lake County Parks and Recreation, made the event possible.
“It was so exciting to see it all come alive,” said Trisler. “It had been just an idea for so long, but seeing the park lit up with all the lights made it all come together. I thought, ‘Oh, this is going to be magical.’ It was amazing to watch it finally come to life.”
The event occurred in a park surrounded by Christmas lights, trees, and a festive spirit. Children were seen smiling, filled with Christmas joy.
“I’ve been tasked with evaluating our programs to see what we’re doing well and where we can improve,” said Mackey. “We have an outstanding weekend event called Christmas at the Mill and wanted to draw more attention to it. Since the park was already decorated for the holidays and the general store was stocked for shopping, we thought adding something special the night before would be fun.
The idea came to life during a discussion between Kara Mackey and the park’s ecologist. They brainstormed ways to enhance the holiday experience while drawing inspiration from the beloved Christmas story to create an event that would feel familiar and extraordinary.
“I felt confident knowing we had Miss Caryn at the campfire, recalling all the wonderful things the kids had done throughout the year,” said Mackey. “We had magically gathered that information in advance so she could share it with the group. We also had an amazing group of volunteers, who are always so generous with their time, running our reindeer food buffet in the Sugar Shack. It was the first time we reinvented that classic space with Christmas decorations, which was exciting.”
The event started with a storytelling performance of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Mackey made the sound, and the "sleeping man" read the story aloud to the audience.
"We have this incredible setting as the backdrop to a classic tale, and by incorporating simple yet charming touches like luminary bags, reindeer food, and caroling, it felt like a return to the heart of the holiday—far from the commercialized version,” said Mackey. “It was about waking up the park with a little sparkle and involving volunteers who genuinely love being here. When people are invested in the park and want to make it a special night for others, they give it their all."
Then, the guests traveled down the pathway to enjoy a carolers' performance, singing holiday songs from a festive stair platform. The cheerful atmosphere added to the charm of the evening.
“I helped Kara a lot with the storytime portion here at the mill, figuring out how to make it dynamic—like when to have Santa’s sleigh, when the moon comes down, and when to turn the lights on,” said Trisler. “We went over the story quite a bit, and seeing the park go from dark to lit up with all the luminary lights was exciting. I’m just grateful that the parks department is always willing to run with our ideas and let us experiment this way and see what we can create.”
It wouldn’t be festive enough without a visit from the jolly man in red! Kids and their families had the chance to meet Santa, and the evening concluded with a stop at the General Store, fully stocked with local treats and delicious goodies.
“Our park managers here at Deep River went above and beyond to make sure all the bridges were sparkling,” said Mackey. “The mill was beautifully illuminated, and we took the activities planned for the weekend and opened them up the night before for everyone to enjoy. We had crafts in the basement, letters to Santa, and, of course, we brought in Santa himself because he’s always a big draw. It’s like a one-stop shop where you can enjoy a unique event that brings the story to life with your family, kicking off the holiday season.”
For more information on the many programs hosted by Lake County Parks, please visit here.