A jolly, rollicking Santa waves to visitors during the opening night of the Fair Lights Christmas display at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds.

ENTERPRISE — Wallowa County is celebrating the holidays with a drive-thru light display at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds.

The new “Fair Lights” tradition started last year when the fair board and Wallowa County OSU Extension Office staff dreamed up an event to bring cheer to the community after a long year of isolation and uncertainty.

“We thought that the community could use some happiness,” said Debi Warnock, 4-H extension agent.

The Zacharias family donated lights from their family’s collection in memory of Cheryl Zacharias, who always had an elaborate light and decoration display in the yard of her Joseph home.

Warnock said five or six other people contributed lights and lighted displays. Enterprise Electric and others donated extension cords, and a team of volunteers got together to set up the attraction all around the track that surrounds the rodeo arena.

While the display was a gift for Wallowa County residents, Warnock said people came from as far away as La Grande and Milton-Freewater to see the lights.

The lights will be on from 5-8 p.m. until Dec. 26. Cars can enter the fairgrounds from the entrance across from Les Schwab Tires on Medical Parkway in Enterprise.

5-8 p.m. through Dec. 26

Wallowa County Fairgrounds

Enterprise