McAdenville, also known as Christmastown USA, is a town in Gaston County, North Carolina, and is considered to be a suburb of both Charlotte and Gastonia. McAdenville was incorporated in 1881. It was named after Rufus Yancey McAden, president of McAden Mills, the town's textile mill. McAden had served in the North Carolina House of Commons from 1862 to 1867, and was Speaker of the House in 1866. The Town of McAdenville lies along the South Fork River in Gaston County N.C. and comes alive in spectacular fashion each year as Christmas draws near. Almost overnight, the small textile town is transformed into " Christmas Town, USA ."
In 1956, the McAdenville Men's Club conceived the idea of using lights to decorate a few trees around the McAdenville Community Center. With the permission of town officials and Mr. W. J. Pharr, President of Pharr Yarns, nine trees were decorated the first year. Mrs. Pharr suggested the use of red, white and green lights, the traditional colors of Christmas. Later, at Mrs. Pharr's suggestion, the trees around the lake were decorated and the manger scene became the focal point of the Christmas decorations. The reaction to these early efforts was so favorable that each year the number of decorated trees has been increased. By 2004, more than 375 trees were giving off a warm holiday glow to the town and surrounding area. The light's attract visitors from all over the country and is one of the biggest light shows in the US. More than 300,000 vehicles visit each year. The lights are entirely maintained by volunteers from the community and no admission is charged. Pharr Yarns picks up the electric bill for the event.