One of the Many Scenes that welcomes us on the course of the Winter Wonderland of Lights.
Here are a few highlights of Maryalicia’s experience at the 2013 Winter Wonderland of Lights. There is still time left to register for this year’s event THIS SATURDAY, November 29!
Winter Wonderland of Lights is a classic for the Portland Area. Once a year, Portland International Raceway opens their track to Participants to run/walk 1, 2 or 3 laps on the which equal 2, 4, or 6 miles during the Winter Wonderland of Lights Holiday Light Show. I can’t even tell you how much I enjoy this race. So much so, it is now on my must do race list every year. There are easily over a 1000 people attending this event, and it is spectacular.
One of the many fun play stations of the Winter Woinderland of lights – AA Sports
I hopped in the bathroom line, and still had enough time to make it over to the AA Sports Family and say ‘Hello’ before making my way to the starting line. Now, you will not find a more family friendly event than this one, so come with the mentality that this is a family event. Strollers, wagons, & tricycles are encouraged to help make this a family fun event and a decorating contest encourages people to spruce up their rides.
2013 Winter Wonderland of Lights line for packet pickup – AA Sports
What a wonderful way to see the lights and this event was even better than 2011. I loved all the holiday goodness; e.g. the lights, the costumes, decorated ‘vehicles’ and people,and listening to my Christmas Running Pop Playlist (Included below if you are interested). I was pleased to see my finishing time of 55:07 for the 6 miles – pushing a stroller! Afterwards I grabbed a couple of pics of my daughter and I, grabbed some food, muscle milk, and visited the booths. They had opportunities to spin a wheel and win Timbers goodies, vendor food carts, and a mini craft festival to make ornaments and more. They also had Santa and Mrs Claus for pictures, no additional charge.
Participants line up for the Parade of Elves and decorating contest at the Winter Wonderland of Lights. – AA Sports
I then started dancing to the live DJ. There is nothing like the Electric Slide to get people out on a dance floor! The music never let up and was fun to listen too. They gave away TONS of prizes too. My daughter won a dozen cupcakes and a $10 G.C. to Cosmo Cupcakes (can you say SCORE!?!) all because the judges were too sweet and gave every prize to every child who entered! They did this for the top two ugly sweater winners too. That’s pretty awesome if you ask me. In fact – on the FB page, a very fancy and for sure winner eligible decorated wagon missed out on the decorating contest because her family got there too late, and AA Sports is going to send her a prize too.
Soon it was time to be on our way and I was so sad it was coming to an end. Again – this is a must race event for me yearly now. Come for fun, and you are sure to have a great time. This isn’t just a race, it’s a family experience!
