Bright Nights at Forest Park adds 50-foot musical tree, augmented reality for 31st season

A larger than life tree is coming to Springfield next week to welcome in the holiday season. This tree I don't think is going to be shedding any leaves though. >> 22 News reporter Aretta Odia joins us live in studio with the preparation that's being done. >> That's right, Nick. Bright Nights at Forest Park will be open on Wednesday, November 26th, and it's the holiday lighting experience getting brighter and taller for his 31st season. Santa's magical forest will be shining bright with more than 750,000 lights along the three mile drive. If you go further into the park, you'll see what crews park crews are working on as the base for the tree is already up. It'll transform into a 50 foot tall animated tree that is choreographed to music with a 4ft tall star. And I said, "Well, what about a tree?" Well, they said, "Year three." I said, "Why wait till year three? Let's just do it big the first year. You have to go big." And that's how I feel about it. And this tree is big. The pattern lights will change as jingle bells, it's the most wonderful time of the year, Feliz Navididad, and Let It Snow are played. When it's still, it glistens with hundreds of metallic ornaments. Also new this season is a touch of augmented reality thanks to the Western New England University's XR Lab. Basically, scan a QR code and virtual backgrounds and selfies can be taken. working for you. Arata Odia, 22 News.