The History of Christmas Town USA

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If you’ve lived in Charlotte during Christmastime, you’ve undoubtedly heard of the legendary “Christmas Town”. It’s the official nickname of McAdenville, NC – a tiny Gaston County town with a population of 651 that sits half-way between Gastonia and Charlotte.

The town first went all-out with its Christmas decorations in 1956, a project that was spearheaded by Pharr Yarns, the largest employer and land owner in McAdenville at the time.

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Starting in 1956, Pharr Yarns began subsidizing the town electric bills every Christmas, ensuring that nobody paid anything extra on their December bills for putting up lights.

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The residents loved participating and, before too long, people were traveling from miles around to see the lights!

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The town itself alone puts up over half a million Christmas lights on over 375 trees (not counting what the residents themselves do).

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The light display covers a 1.3-mile stretch of road that meanders through town… and every home is lit.

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Economic impact studies have suggested the light display brings in $11.8 million in economic activity for McAdenville and the surrounding areas.

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Over 600,000 people visit in over 300,000 vehicles each year, creating huge traffic backups all along several exits on I-85.

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The McAdenville Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.

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The lights glow nightly:
Monday – Friday
5:30 – 9:30 pm

Saturday & Sunday
5:30 – 11:00 pm

From:
Thursday, December 1 thru Monday, December 26

If you haven’t been yet – what are your waiting for? 

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