VCB release - Organizers expect more than 50,000 holiday enthusiasts to converge on Shore Acres State Park once again for the 36th Annual Holiday Lights at Shore Acres.  The lights will be open from November 28 (Thanksgiving evening) through December 31 (New Year’s Eve) for a total of 34 nights. Springing from humble roots and growing over the years, the Holiday Lights at Shore Acres netted an estimated 53,000 visitors in 2023, and the Friends of Shore Acres are expecting another great turnout. Many of those visitors come from other parts of the state, nation and the world. There were visitors from 20 different foreign countries as well as 38 different states last year.  With a unique coastal theme, the display – which was established in 1988 and has grown to include 325,000 lights – has become a magnet that draws visitors to our community. While they are here, those visitors are shopping and dining out in local businesses. After a busy summer season of outdoor adventurers and beachgoers, the lights – coupled with king tides and storm watching – provide plenty of offseason opportunities to attract visitors.  Due to high traffic counts and traffic congestion, Shore Acres State Park requires online Parking reservations prior to arrival at the park. The fee is $5 per CAR and reservations start at 4:30 p.m. each day. For those who would like more flexibility or prefer not to register online, the Coos Bay-North Bend-Charleston Visitor & Convention Bureau is once again offering Santa’s Shuttle. The FREE service will provide transportation from the Charleston Marina to Shore Acres State Park on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, plus the four holiday nights. The Shuttle is supported this year by local area businesses including Gib’s RV Superstore, Pacific Power, Harmony Home Care, Coos Bay-North Bend Rotary Foundation, Addcox Heating, Sause Bros, Ziply Fiber, Best Western Coos Bay, Knife River, and Englund Marine.