ROSEMONT, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Things are a buzz at Rosemont's Impact Field, as the baseball stadium transforms into a winter wonderland for the holidays.
"Impact Field is one of the nicest ballparks in the country. We started thinking about what we could do year round," said Shawn Hunter, Owner, Chicago Dogs.
Hunter was like a kid in a candy store as he showed off his new project that's been in the works for two years.
"The Village of Rosemont, The Dogs partnered with Artistic Holiday Design to create the Amaze Light Festival. This might seem like an overnight introduction, but it's two years of preparation," he said.
Starting in November, Rosemont's Impact Field will transform into the ultimate holiday destination with the debut of The AMAZE Light Festival. Visitors are welcome to enjoy outdoor holiday activities for all ages amongst an immersive display of more than one million holiday lights.
"There's more than a million lights, seven worlds. It's truly immersive," Hunter said.
In addition to enjoying timed light shows and seven theme-based illuminated worlds, AMAZE guests can take advantage of tubing on “Polar Peak,” a holiday market, festive food and beverages, a candy shop, and more. Children can also enjoy visits to Santa's Workshop, holiday craft making, and even festive train rides on the “Arctic Express.”
“Guests will be able to find all their favorite holiday traditions under one roof at AMAZE Light Festival at Impact Field,” said Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens, in a statement. “We are thrilled to partner with the Chicago Dogs and Artistic Holiday Designs on this festival, bringing one of the largest winter festivals in the United States to Rosemont and truly AMAZE guests from across the region with spectacular holiday light displays alongside activities for all ages.”
Hunter said when you come into the main gate, there's a huge candy show, "almost like Willie Wonka's factory." There's also a holiday village serving holiday food and drinks. Then when you get down on the field, "that's when you get to experience the light show...At the center of the field, is a three-story tree that is the focal point of the light show. It'll be like a winter festival theme park."
Hunter has made a career in professional sports. Before the Dogs, he was with MLS and President of the Phoenix Coyotes. He said he never believed he'd be in the holiday and Christmas business.
"I learned a long time ago, embrace the unexpected," he laughed. "What we signed up for, and love about the baseball business, we're now very lucky to be in the winter entertainment business. There's no better place than Impact Field."
Hunter said three major league ballparks have already been doing this for the last few years.
"We've been watching MLB from afar. The Seattle Mariners, The Nationals in Washington, and the Tampa Rays have all been doing this for three years very successfully. We will be the first minor league ballpark to do something like this to this magnitude," Hunter said.
The AMAZE Light Festival, located at Rosemont’s Impact Field, 9850 Balmoral Ave., will be open from Nov. 19 to Jan. 2. Tickets are on sale now at www.amazerosemont.com. General admission tickets are $23 for adults and $18 for children ages 2-12.
Visits to Santa's Workshop must be reserved in advance when purchasing tickets online. Santa’s Workshop will offer lighted seesaws, giant light brights, a special activation where children can write letters to Santa, and more.
Premium ticket packages and add-on experiences are also available and include:
• “Polar Peak” Tubing Rides ($20 per person): allows unlimited rides on Polar Peak during designated timeframes
• VIP Tickets ($34 per person): allows access to Impact Field’s tented “Leinie Lodge,” which will feature specialty cocktails available for purchase and premier viewing of the AMAZE timed light shows
• Platinum Tickets ($85 per person): allows access to Impact Field’s “Rivers Stadium Club” complete with an all-inclusive premium buffet as well as beer, wine, and soda. Cocktails along with specialty coffees and other beverages will also be available for purchase.
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