The Sounds of Christmas: Packed house for opening lights weekend

The 2015 Holiday Light Fair Exhibition Hall opened over the weekend to a full house.

The first of three weekends closed with performances by the Pinckneyville Community High School chamber choir, singer Chandra Gilliam on Saturday and the Du Quoin High School band on Friday night.

Seating in front of the Holiday Lights stage was full with Du Quoin Tourism's Judy Smid and Dane Mason holding drawings for door prizes between performances.

There is an awful lot to see and do with the most elaborate holiday decorating among the 16 shows, nearly 50 vendors and hundreds of gift ideas.

There was great food including Joanie Foster's cinnamon rolls. Joanie not only shared her great rolls but many Holiday Lights goers got to look at some of her beautful paintings, as well.

"I want to share them with people," she said while setting up on Thursday afternoon.

The driving tour is open nightly and costs $10 per carload.

You only have two more weekends to enjoy the live entertainment inside the Exhibition Hall.

Here is the schedule of entertainment for next weekend and beyond. The entire fair closes on Dec. 30.

Entertainment Schedule

Friday, Dec. 11: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Southern Illinois Concert Band

Saturday, Dec. 12: 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. John A. Logan Community Band

Sunday, Dec. 13: 6:30 p.m. Katenna Laforge, 7:30 p.m. Damon Waller

Friday, Dec. 18: 6:30 p.m. Little Egypt Barbershop Quartet

Saturday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. TBA

Sunday, Dec. 20: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Chris Slone

All of the proceeds benefit the many activities of Du Quoin Tourism and will help grow the light displays and entertainment schedule for next years fair.

Christmas in Du Quoin events continue now through Christmas Eve with the next major event being the Remember Me memorial service next Sunday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at Liberty Church in Du Quoin.

This is the 12th annual service which includes a candle lighting ceremony to remember our children the community has lost.