Santa and his reindeer have arrived in Athens just in time for the holidays.

Rather, they’ve been erected and set aglow, along with snowmen, a somersaulting gingerbread man and a large illuminated castle.

Sandy Creek Park presents its first holiday lights display, which consists of about 30 large designs that visitors can see as they drive their cars around a 0.75-mile loop.

“If we get enough support, we’ll do it every year,” said Tim Johnson, executive director of Family Connections and Communities in Schools.

Although the displays include some elaborate scenes, there also are some really simple ones, like a hummingbird and flower.

Johnson said the ones people have talked about most are the gingerbread man and the University Athletic Association’s displays.

“The gingerbread man does a somersault over your car and lands on a house,” said Blaine Williams, an Athens Tech student intern who has also helped with the project.

The Athletic Association, the lead sponsor of the event, has the largest light display.

It includes bugle and trumpet players, a giant castle and a “To All a Good Night” scene.

A Sandy Creek press release called the display a “choreographed fantasy of color and design.”

“Over 100 cars came opening night,” Williams said.

And Johnson said the park’s busiest times are usually earlier in the evening.

After distributing leaflets at the downtown holiday parade, Johnson said he thought the event would definitely be popular among students.

“University students were the most excited of all,” he said. “They were saying things like ‘I am so going to this.’”