33rd Annual Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights & Holiday Village

ROSEBURG, Ore. The 33rd Annual Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights continues to brighten River Forks Park in Roseburg, drawing families from across the region to one of the longest standing holiday traditions in Southern Oregon. On Sunday, December 7th, The Roseburg Receiver and The Roseburg Plug visited the event to speak with organizers, volunteers, and attendees about the heart and history behind this community celebration.

The festival, operated by the Roseburg Rotary Club, began more than three decades ago with a vision from Rotarian Kerwin Doughton. His idea for a drive through Christmas display has grown into one of the county's most recognizable holiday attractions. A lit display of Doughton still stands along the route, honoring the founder whose imagination first brought the tradition to life.

One of the festival's biggest points of pride is the location of, according to some sources, the world's largest nutcracker. The towering figure stands along the route as one of the event's most iconic displays. Past Rotary president Sue Van Volkenburg explained that it is also one of the most challenging pieces to set up and maintain because it must be stored in large sections and contains moving parts. Current Rotary president Fred Sabins recalled helping repair its head last year so the display could continue to operate.

Fred added that several of the largest displays require full teams to assemble safely, including Old Glory, one of the tallest and heaviest installations at the fairgrounds.

Beyond the lights themselves, the festival serves an important purpose for local students. Each year, the Roseburg Rotary Club donates 10,000 dollars in scholarships for high school seniors. Fred said reading the scholarship applications gives the club a sense of hope in the next generation, and Sue noted that the rest of the festival proceeds go toward new displays, upgrades, and ongoing improvements. The event is both a community tradition and a fundraiser that has supported local students for many years.

The festival relies heavily on volunteers because it operates from the week before Thanksgiving through January 1st. With only about 55 Rotary members, community volunteers are essential to staffing the gates and helping the event run smoothly. During our visit, Fred pointed out a team of volunteers working near the entrances and said that similar support is needed every night.

The Holiday Village, located inside the fairgrounds, has also become a beloved part of the festival. Sue estimated that it has been part of the celebration for about 15 years. It temporarily closed during the pandemic before being restored last year through community support. The Rotary Club now leases the building on a long term basis, ensuring a stable home for the village and a place for Santa to return each season.

Inside the village, families visited Santa, watched a detailed model train display, enjoyed treats, and wrote letters to the North Pole. Santa said his favorite part of the season is the children who visit him and explained that their excitement is what brings him back every year. He said that the reindeer were quiet tonight and that the noise inside the building made their footsteps harder to hear.

The night carried a strong sense of tradition and community. Thirty three years of lights. Thirty three years of families. Thirty three years of people coming together to celebrate the season. Some visit for the magic. Others return for the memories. But everyone leaves a little brighter. It is a shared moment of light during a time of year when many people need it most.

As visitors continue to attend between now and January 1st, the Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights stands as a reminder of what community effort, volunteer dedication, and shared tradition can create. Supported by donors, powered by volunteers, and helping fund 10,000 dollars in scholarships each year, the festival remains one of Douglas County's most meaningful holiday experiences.

The Umpqua Valley Festival of Lights operates November 23 - January 1st and opens at 5:30 PM nightly. For more information, visit their website by clicking here.