The South Carolina State Fairgrounds is known for hosting the State Fair every year, but many are unaware that other events take place on the fairgrounds through the year.
One new event this year is Carolina Lights, a drive-thru holiday light show.
Nancy Smith is the general manager of the State Fair and said a lot of people only know them as the fair since it is the fairground's biggest event every year. The fairgrounds is a 501(c)(3), meaning it is a nonprofit agency that is not publicly funded.
This year the fairgrounds has tried a number of new events, including a circus, outdoor movie and Carolina Lights.
"We were trying to bring more relevancy to the fairgrounds itself, and we have a beautiful 35-acre parking lot that has grass and trees," Smith said.
The State Fair celebrated its 150th anniversary this year, which was one of the reasons it decided to try new activities.
Kathy Allen is the marketing director for the State Fair. She said if Carolina Lights is successful this year, they might add more features in the following years.
The fairgrounds are working with light show company North Pole Productions. Allen said the organization is setting up a light show that's more than one mile long.
Tammy Peters is the president of North Pole Productions and said the company has been producing holiday light shows since 2000. Peters said North Pole Productions never uses the exact same set up.
"We truly believe that we produce memorable experiences for families to enjoy at the holiday season," Peters said. "We try to bring a variety of sights and sounds to all of our shows."
Smith said there are not a lot of drive-thru light shows in the surrounding areas of the fairgrounds, which is one of the reasons why they decided to host the event this year.
North Pole Productions does not only create holiday light shows. The state fair worked with North Pole Productions during the fair this past year for its animated animal show called "Barnyard Cackle."
"During the fair we tried the circus, which we hadn't ever done before, and that went fabulously," Allen said. "So the next idea is to try this light show, and if it goes as we hope, then we'll bring it back."
Carolina Lights will take place from Dec. 7-28. On Monday through Thursday it is open 6 to 9 p.m., and Friday through Sunday it is open 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The cost is $20 per car, and visitors can enter at Gate 6 on George Rogers Blvd.