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Have a merry winter at Chief Logan State Park.
This story was originally published in the December 2024 issue of Wonderful West Virginia. To subscribe, visit wonderfulwv.com.
Written by Caryn Gresham
On November 28 at 5:30 p.m., the drive through Chief Logan State Park in Logan County will become a magical holiday wonderland, just as it has every year since 1994 when a vision became a reality.
“My dad and some of his friends had seen holiday light shows at parks like St. Albans City Park, and they had a vision of having something like that close to home,” says Tim Tomblin, president of the nonprofit Christmas in the Park, which operates the show. His father was Tom Rose Tomblin, and he was instrumental in bringing that vision to life. “He wanted it to be free so everyone could enjoy it, and we’ve kept it that way ever since.”
Over the years, the show has grown from a few lighted and animated displays to dozens nestled throughout the trees along two miles of the state park’s main road.
“Coming from Oglebay Resort with its popular holiday light show to the West Virginia State Park system, I was curious to see the light show at Chief Logan,” says Paul Redford, Deputy Chief of State Parks at the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “I was pleasantly surprised by the high-quality display of static and animated displays and by the high traffic on the evening I visited.”
Anywhere from 18,000 to 20,000 cars drive through Chief Logan’s light show each year, Tomblin says, based on the park’s records, and they come from all over the region. “Most of our visitors come from West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, but we have some who come from other states as well.”
For the Community, by the Community
It takes more than one man—or one group of men—to bring the annual Christmas in the Park light show to life each year. “Dad and his friends knew they needed community support to offer a free light show for the people in the Logan area to enjoy for years to come,” says Tomblin.
Using his local connections, Tom Rose Tomblin talked with local machine and welding companies, solicited donations for supplies, and had the exhibits built. One of the first displays, featuring four large candles with flickering wicks surrounded by poinsettias, is still used today.
“We add to the show with funding that comes mainly from donations and a state grant,” says Tomblin. “I have a network of suppliers who provide me with new and refurbished displays.”
In the early years, the men set the displays up as women came through after them to test lights and replace bulbs—checking everything twice. Now, Tomblin and his crew of volunteers begin setting up the light displays and buildings on October 1. On Thanksgiving evening, the lights come on, glowing every evening through New Year’s Day from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Three churches supply lunches to the volunteers as they build, and local vocational–technical schools are involved as well: Students helped construct the gift shop and collections buildings, and welding classes work on displays.
“We still use the original displays, many of which were made locally by people at machine and welding shops who knew my dad and were glad to help,” says Tomblin. “We still get help from local companies, and every year we have visitors who are proud to say, ‘I helped make that display’ or ‘that building’ when they share the stories of the light show with their families and friends.”
As visitors drive along the route, they can listen to holiday music and learn about the story of Christmas in the Park and its displays by tuning to 89.1 FM on their car radios. A local radio station prepares the track each year, adding information about new displays. “There are plenty of opportunities for people to park and take photographs along the route,” says Tomblin. “At the Twelve Days of Christmas display, we have a family that comes every year to take their family pictures at a different day of Christmas.”
At the entrance building, visitors can get information and make donations to help the nonprofit organization. Nearby, volunteers in another building sell hot chocolate. A third building houses the holiday gift shop—open through Christmas—with ornaments, jewelry, and small gifts. Many of the items are West Virginia–made, including an annual special glass ornament hand-painted by Logan native and Alum Creek resident Shelley Goodman. Santa makes appearances Tuesday through Saturday throughout the season’s run each year.
Speaking of runs, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College and Logan Regional Hospital host an annual race through the light show, too. “A few days before the official opening, we light up the show, and the race starts at 6 p.m.,” says Tomblin. “The entry fee goes to a local charity.”
Other Fun at Chief Logan
During daylight hours, there is plenty to do at the 4,000-acre state park, including at the Chief Logan Lodge and Conference Center.
Chief Logan State Park features 18 miles of open trails of varying difficulties for hikers and bikers, with maps provided at the park office. “The park trails are open year-round and are as interesting in the winter as they are in the other seasons,” says Assistant Park Superintendent Lauren Cole. “Cooler weather is a nice opportunity to get out and hike or bike—especially when you’re not fighting the usual creepy crawlies you encounter in the summer.”
In September 2024, officials cut the ribbon to open a new 4.6-mile connector trail to the Hatfield–McCoy Bearwallow Trail. This collaboration between state agencies and Hatfield–McCoy Trails is constructed of reclaimed surface mine benches within the park. “The trail goes along a ridgeline in the state park and, in the winter months, it will provide a spectacular view of the park,” says State Parks Deputy Chief Redford. “We are providing designated parking for cars and trailers that allows guests to drive right up to the trailhead.”
Even in the winter, the park’s trout pond is a popular attraction for families that enjoy fishing, Cole says. “The WVDNR Wildlife Resources Section stocks the pond with trout from January through April. Bluegill and black bass species also occur there naturally, so there’s always fish to catch.” The adjacent Chief Logan Wildlife Management Area is open for hunting, following the state’s seasonal hunting guidelines and regulations. “In January, West Virginia holds the popular four-day Mountaineer Heritage Season for turkeys, bears, and deer. Hunters use primitive-style weapons, including longbows and recurve bows, muzzle-loading black powder rifles, and pistols with flintlock or percussion cap action. In Logan County, however, only the longbows and recurve bows may be used legally. This is perfect for an avid bowhunter looking for a new and unique challenge.” Hunting and fishing licenses and trout stamps are required for each activity. They can be obtained online at WVhunt.com or at local retail outlets.
The Museum in the Park, displaying exhibits from the West Virginia State Museum collection, offers a peek at local and state history. The Land, People and Culture of the Southern Coalfields exhibit reveals a place rich in natural resources and wealthy in unique individuals. It includes a replica country store, a West Virginia glass exhibit, and a We Are Marshall exhibit as well as a gift shop. And visitors can walk around The Kanawha 2700 Class locomotive that was donated to the park by the C&O Railroad, located beside the museum.
A Winter Getaway
There is even more to do at the Chief Logan Lodge and Conference Center. The lodge features an indoor pool, fitness center, and Whispering Ridge—a full-service restaurant open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“Although the campground is closed in the winter, guests can stay at the lodge or the state park’s three cabins,” says Cole. The lodge features 75 modern rooms and suites. The newly built cabins at the park are four-bedroom, four-bath units that are fully equipped with linens, entertainment opportunities with wireless internet and smart TVs, cold-weather amenities such as fireplaces and outdoor fire pits, and a kitchen with a range, refrigerator, cookware and tableware. One is ADA accessible.
“They are more like guest houses than cabins,” says Redford. “We have made every effort to equip them with West Virginia–made items like mattresses, Homer Laughlin china, handmade furniture, soaps, and original artwork.”
To see Chief Logan State Park in all its wintery holiday glory, visit chiefloganstatepark.com and start planning your perfect trip.
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