A bit of holiday magic missing from last year's celebrations has returned.
The Magical Forest at Opportunity Village kicked off its 30th season Friday evening with a tree-lighting ceremony and the usual sparkling array of festive lights and decor. The holiday display, which has become a Las Vegas tradition, remained dark last year because of COVID-19.
The resurgence of twinkling lights and carousel rides brought a steady stream of children and adults, including Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Rep. Dina Titus (D-Las Vegas), to the Opportunity Village campus on Oakey Boulevard. Opportunity Village officials say every dollar spent at the Magical Forest goes toward programs or services for the more than 3,000 people with disabilities the organization serves.
Take a peek at this year's winter wonderland through the lens of The Nevada Independent photographer Jeff Scheid:
Santa Claus greets visitors to the. Magical Forest at Opportunity Village on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. This is the 30th year for the event. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)Guest arrive to visit the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)Guests ride Cheyenne's Enchanted Carousel at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)Thousands of holiday decorations light up the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)Guests ride the Forest Express Passenger Train at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)Dignitaries, including Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Rep. Dina Titus (D-Las Vegas), attend the tree-lighting ceremony at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)Guests watch the fireworks during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)Thousands of holiday decorations light up the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)Guests ride the Forest Express Passenger Train at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)Guests admire the lights at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)Children from Doral Academy perform during the tree-lighting ceremony at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)A conductor waves at children while riding the Forest Express Passenger Train at Opportunity Village's Magical Forest on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)
