Thursday, December 4, 2014

Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories - Christmas Lights





One of the things my family did growing up was to drive around and look at all the outdoor Christmas lights displayed in our neighborhood. We also went to other neighborhoods in my hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina.

Just two blocks from my parents home was the home of the Mr. Jack True, Sr also known as the Chapman Street Santa. Mr. True decorated his home and yard with Christmas lights, and all manner of lighted Christmas figures. He had Santa, his sleigh and reindeer across the front part roof for all to see. There is an old telephone poll on which he posted a sign that read, "Santa Claus will arrive in December (insert dates for that year). Santa has gone to feed the reindeer, will be back at 8:00 PM". Mr. True would dress up as Santa Claus, standing at his front gate handing out candy canes and wave to all the cars that would drive by to see his home.

More recently in my old neighborhood people started hanging lighted chicken wire balls from the trees in their yard. They look like Christmas ornaments are hanging from the trees. You can find do-it-yourself instructions and pictures at The Chicken Chick Blog, http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/12/chicken-wire-lighted-christmas-balls.html.

Over in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, about 30 to 40 drive from Greensboro you can go to Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights. The Festival of Lights is a special treat where you and your family can drive along and experience the lights and sounds of the Christmas season. There are at least 80 displays along the route. At the half way point there is the Holiday Gift Village where you can get out of your car and walk around. There are refreshments available for purchase, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus and the opportunity to visit local artisans and purchase their wares. You can also make reservations for tractor pulled hayrides or horse drawn carriage rides too. The drive through the Festival of Lights can take as long as two hours especially on the weekends. Of course, there is a fee per vehicle and the price varies depending on the day you go.

2 comments:

  1. Lights at Christmas time are definitely a significant part of the season's traditions. There are several light displays that have become part of our Christmas traditions as well. It is interesting because it doesn't seem like it matters where you are, there are traditions revolving around light displays.

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  2. Thank you for sharing the link to my blog! I hope one day to be able to get to Greensboro for the spectacle of lights!
    Happy Holidays!

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