Indian Point Enchanted Forest
The Enchanted Forest drive-through holiday light display is the Village of Indian Point’s annual Christmas gift to residents and visitors to the Branson/Lakes Area. Beginning in the 1980’s, the Enchanted Forest was the first drive-through display in the area and today, is the only one that remains free to the public. In the early years, the display included only ground-mounted colored spotlights shining up into the trees. This year, the mile-long drive includes about ½ million lights. The many displays include whimsical animated creatures of the forest and a few new surprises.
The focal point of the forest is the now famous “Freedom Treeâ€. Just after 9-11 occurred, the volunteers decorating a crooked old Osage Orange tree decided to wrap it in red, white and blue lights to express the Village’s patriotism and support for the country. A picture of the tree was put on the Indian Point Chamber of Commerce’s web site (indianpointchamber.com) and positive comments were received from across the nation and several foreign countries. The tradition continues this year as the tree’s 56,000 red, white and blue lights send forth visual support of our troops abroad and emergency workers here at home. Over 100,000 people are expected to tour the Enchanted Forest this season.
The Enchanted Forest is located in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s campground, three miles south of Highway 76 on Indian Point Road (between Branson and Branson West). It will be open from dusk until midnight each evening from Nov. 11 through January 1. Donations are gratefully accepted but not required. This annual event is a partnership of the Village, the Indian Point chamber, the Corps of Engineers and the many volunteers without whose help the project would not be possible. For further information, contact 800-888-3313 or 417-338-2772.
