Carolina Christmas at CMS a success: The Carolina Christmas drive-through light park at Charlotte Motor Speedway met expectations in its first year, even with some tough weather challenges in December, according to the lead organizer. It went great, Mike Miller, president of Salisbury-based Miller Davis Inc., said Tuesday. Were not exactly sure on the total numbers … but 200,000 plus people and some phenomenal nights. Those big nights of more than 2,000 vehicles were tempered by evenings of low attendance because of the weather, even a snowy Christmas Day. Overall, he said the speedway received positive feedback on the drive-through light display, the Bethlehem village and skating rink. Miller said his company, which planned, marketed and oversaw the 42-night run of Carolina Christmas, already is tweaking things for a bigger Carolina Christmas in 2011. The 2.5-mile, drive-through park of 1 million lights in 2010 probably will expand to 4 miles this year. A huge hit in the first Carolina Christmas was visitors being able to drive on a portion of the Charlotte Motor Speedways high-banked track, Miller said. The light park will incorporate more of that experience in 2011. Also, the worlds largest television screen, or Jumbotron, will be installed at the track this year. It will be integrated into the speedways holiday celebration. Miller Davis is talking with several other venues, including other Bruton Smith-owned racetracks, about doing similar Christmas drive-through light parks. Winterland, the Indiana lighting contractor for Carolina Christmas, has engaged us to help them expand light parks throughout the country, Miller said.(Salisbury Post)(1-16-2011)
