Michael Adams began "Candy Cane Wonderland" in 2006 with 2,000 visitors. This past year Adams welcomed 29,000 to his outdoor display.
"First on the list is the Laurinburg Exchange," Adams said, "for giving us the coverage to make this such a successful event. I would also like to thank Metrocast Cable in Bennettsville, S.C., Glen Evans of Evans Funeral Home in Bennettsville along with Mr. Jackie Polston and Mr. Rogers for allowing me to put up advertising signs on their property, Carolina SIgns for their donation of signs, and also my family and friends, and Mr. and Mrs. Claus, for their help."
Adams also had a special thank you for the people who have supported the display through their attendance.
"I absolutely want to thank the people of Marlboro, Scotland and the surrounding counties for coming out to visit us," he said. "People have put photos of the display on Facebook, and they have told their friends. It is all very much appreciated."
Adams' numbers reflect the growing popularity of the event.
"We had an estimated 29,000 people to visit the display in 2009," Adams said. "It was by far our best year ever."
Adams, who replicated a similar display he had witnessed as a youth, began in 2006 with a modest budget, drawing in his estimation approximately 2,000 visitors. In 2007, some 5,000 traveled through the attraction, with the number doubling by Adams' reckoning to more than 10,000 visitors for the Christmas 2008 season. The 2009 attendance records broke all the statistics he had collected thus far.
"On the evenings Santa and Mrs. Claus were in attendance, which were seven nights in December, we passed out a total of 11,630 candy canes," Adams said. "That's more than 1,600 per night."
"Candy Cane Wonderland" opened Nov. 6, 2009 through Jan. 1, 2010 with a few cancellations due to inclement weather.
"I feel really bad about the nights we were forced to close due to weather, and would like to apologize to those who drove out expecting to see the display," Adams said. "High winds, even more so than rain, can really damage the blowup displays. I was especially heartbroken that we had to close due to the poor weather on Christmas night."
To Adams' delight the crowds came back the day after Christmas, with some 1,500 drive throughs tallied.
The 2010 "Candy Cane Wonderland" will open to the public on the first Friday in November.
"I have already purchased $600 worth of sealed candy canes in anticipation of next year," Adams said. "I have ordered new blowups, and hope to have ready about 20 wreaths the city of Gibson donated to us. They are approximately six feet in diameter, and are very impressive looking."
Adams is pleased that his ongoing contribution during the holiday season helps families come together for a a traditional time of bonding.
"With the economy and the times like they are, I saw more than ever this year that the display provides an opportunity for families to enjoy being together at Christmastime," he said. "I've had people come up to me and say, 'this is what Christmas is all about'. I agree, and there's no way to express the happiness I feel at how the people have made my vision come to life. It's indescribable."
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