Holiday Lights Extravaganza

Each year, beginning the Saturday before Thanksgiving and going through the Saturday before Christmas, the museum's Oil Field Park comes to life with the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Truly a holiday extravaganza, displaying over 100,000 LED lights in a variety of sparkling and animated vignettes accompanied by holiday music delight the young and young at heart.

Holiday Lights Extravaganza started in 2007 to commemorate a Union County tradition that took place in 1935 when a 13-year-old Smackover resident, Eddie Rouse, won a Christmas Decoration contest. He nailed two boards together making a cross and wired it up with lights. Eddie won that year and for several years to follow. After that, Eddie went on to become a Union County hero. He was star athlete, playing football for Smackover High School and Mississippi State University. When American entered WWII, Eddie joined General Patton's Third Army of paratroopers. Sadly, he would not return from Europe; he was killed by sniper fire. Every year, Eddie's mom put out Eddie's Cross decoration to celebrate his life.

The museum is happy to carry on the celebration of Eddie Rouse and bring this Union County memory back to life each Holiday Season. The show has grown over the years to more 100,000 lights throughout the Oil Field Park. You are invited to come out and join the celebration.

Cost includes a walking tour on a 1/4-mile easy, wheelchair accessible path. Inside, our Oil Patch Gift Shop will be open for last minute, unique holiday gift purchases; linger in the lobby to warm up with free hot chocolate. Also, add a whole new dimension to the viewing experience with our 3D glasses, available for $2 each.