Hundreds crowded Airport Road Park Tuesday night for Spalding County’s annual Festival of Lights.

“I think they’ve made close to 1,000 packs and we’re having to make more,” said Pandy Bass, administrative assistant to Spalding County Parks & Recreation Director Louis Greene.

She and her husband Kimsey Bass stood in front of the park Tuesday night, making ticket packets for the various events that were part of the festival.

Pandy Bass said this year’s event drew a bigger crowd than last year’s.

Spalding County Cooperative Extension Service Coordinator Wade Hutcheson, who was part of the 4-H delegation selling food to visitors, said the weather was significantly better this year.

“Last year, we had mist and rain and fog,” he said.

The Samples family turned out for the festival.

“We love it,” said Russell Samples, father of boys Rhett, Will, Lucas and David. “This is actually our first year doing it.”

The boys then gave their opinions.

“We did everything except the red ticket,” Will Samples said.

Russell Samples said the red ticket was for face-painting.

Lucas Samples said he liked the cookie-decorating. Rhett Samples said he liked the snowball throw.

“My game was probably the elf-training,” David Samples said.

Darnetta Williams came with her three children, Darnevia, Delarjae and Damaris Lewis. It was her first time attending the event.

“Fine,” she said when asked how the event was going.

She said the children are enjoying the event, although Damaris was crying because the line was too long to go see Santa Claus.

“They’re having a good time,” she said.