Before the first light blinks to synchronized music, before the rock ‘n’ roll Santa and Mrs. Claus play their first chords, everything for Santa’s Rock-N-Lights show comes down to the assembly.
The new milelong drive-through light show is taking place after dark in the parking lots at the Kane County Cougars Stadium, 34W002 Cherry Lane, in Geneva.
Brook Leatherwood, one of the on-site event managers for All Community Events, was supervising the assembly last week of two giant arches to be joined to form the 0 in 2024.
“The arch was designed especially for it,” Leatherwood said. “It’s staked to the ground and has a really cool effect.”
In the bright light of day, nothing looked special. But the 15-foot Santa and Mrs. Claus, wrapped in tinsel, were impressive.
“It took over 10 of our guys to put these up,” Leatherwood said, standing next to Mrs. Claus’ giant black boot.
Jim Canfield, another site manager, said it took an hour and a half for the crew to assemble them.
“They weigh a couple hundred pounds easy,” Canfield said.
The figures both hold guitars. Their supports are tied down and held in place with brick blocks.
Farther away in the parking area was a family of polar bears – 12-foot parents and three cubs – and random decorative light balls about the size of basketballs. They were assembled and waiting their location.
Santa’s Rock-N-Lights show relocated to Geneva from Grayslake. The show includes 20-foot dinosaurs, 20-foot reindeer and nearly 1,000 feet of light tunnels.
The show runs through Dec. 31.
For more information and tickets, go to SantasRockNLights.com.