RIPLEY, W.Va. - A Christmas light display that once drew thousands of viewers annually to the Evans area farm of Guy Hersman is now part of a 750,000-light display that attracts 30,000 holiday visitors to the Cedar Lakes Conference Center near Ripley.

The fifth annual Winterfest display opened Monday for the 2008 holiday season and will continue through Jan. 5. In addition to a bigger-than-ever light display, this year's Winterfest will include horse-drawn sleigh/wagon rides, a series of Elderhostel craft workshops, a craft show with free craft classes, a free concert by Heidi Muller and Bob Webb, two dinner theater performances, choral concerts and photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Winterfest traces its roots to the donation of Guy Hersman's large and unique hand-built light display, following the Jackson County man's death in 2003. Hersman's displays, featuring moving components fashioned from washer and dryer motors, belts and gearboxes, were displayed on his 45-acre farm off W.Va. 87 near Evans.

The display's donation prompted the family of Martinsburg resident Jack Sweeney to donate his large holiday light setup to Cedar Lakes. Since then, area businesses and civic groups have added to the holiday light menagerie, and an annual contest has been held among the state's career and technical centers to further enhance and expand the display.

"The career and technical centers from across the state submit designs, and the winners receive money from a grant fund we have to pay for the materials needed to build the winning designs," said Ron Grimes, the conference center's director.

This year's winners were the Wheeling Park, Mingo County and Roane-Jackson career and technical centers.

Wheeling Park's display, which makes use of nearly 8,000 lights, qualified for an $11,200 grant to purchase the materials needed to build it. The other two schools received $4,500 grants.

Once built, the technical center displays become a part of the growing annual light show at the conference center, which is operated by the West Virginia Department of Education.

RIPLEY, W.Va. - A Christmas light display that once drew thousands of viewers annually to the Evans area farm of Guy Hersman is now part of a 750,000-light display that attracts 30,000 holiday visitors to the Cedar Lakes Conference Center near Ripley.

The fifth annual Winterfest display opened Monday for the 2008 holiday season and will continue through Jan. 5. In addition to a bigger-than-ever light display, this year's Winterfest will include horse-drawn sleigh/wagon rides, a series of Elderhostel craft workshops, a craft show with free craft classes, a free concert by Heidi Muller and Bob Webb, two dinner theater performances, choral concerts and photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Winterfest traces its roots to the donation of Guy Hersman's large and unique hand-built light display, following the Jackson County man's death in 2003. Hersman's displays, featuring moving components fashioned from washer and dryer motors, belts and gearboxes, were displayed on his 45-acre farm off W.Va. 87 near Evans.

The display's donation prompted the family of Martinsburg resident Jack Sweeney to donate his large holiday light setup to Cedar Lakes. Since then, area businesses and civic groups have added to the holiday light menagerie, and an annual contest has been held among the state's career and technical centers to further enhance and expand the display.

"The career and technical centers from across the state submit designs, and the winners receive money from a grant fund we have to pay for the materials needed to build the winning designs," said Ron Grimes, the conference center's director.

This year's winners were the Wheeling Park, Mingo County and Roane-Jackson career and technical centers.

Wheeling Park's display, which makes use of nearly 8,000 lights, qualified for an $11,200 grant to purchase the materials needed to build it. The other two schools received $4,500 grants.

Once built, the technical center displays become a part of the growing annual light show at the conference center, which is operated by the West Virginia Department of Education.

The donated displays and continuing contributions by state technical center students have helped Cedar Lakes offer new activities, bring in revenue, and stimulate the local economy "during what had traditionally been a slow period for us," said Grimes. "We're well on our way to making Cedar Lakes a premiere destination spot for this time of year."

Tours of the light display take place daily from 6 to 9 p.m., and are free, although donations are accepted to help cover expenses - including a power bill that runs $5,400 above the norm during the time the display is illuminated.

While the display can be seen free by car, it can also be taken in by riding on a horse-drawn sleigh - well, really a wagon. There is a fee for the horse-powered tours - $5 for adults and $4 for younger children, and $4 each for people in groups of 20 or more.

This year's Christmas season program at Cedar Lakes includes holiday-themed Elderhostel workshops in stained glass, quilting, woodcarving, woodturning, and baskets and woven ornaments. The classes will take place Sunday through Dec. 5.

A grand illumination ceremony and award dinner will be held Monday, and the free concert by Heidi Muller and Bob Webb, featuring seasonal songs and mountain music, will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. A joint choral concert and dinner, featuring choirs from Ripley and Ravenswood high schools, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4.

The Winterfest Craft show will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 6, with free craft classes in quilting, stained glass and basketry scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For details, call Cedar Lakes at 372-7860, or visit www.cedarlakes.com.

Reach Rick Steelhammer at rsteelham...@wvgazette.com or 348-5169.