Holiday Lights

It’s the time of year to get the family in the car and do a Christmas light tour. You see the fireworks on the 4^th, do leaf watching in October why not do a Christmas light tour followed by a stop for hot chocolate at a convenience store or coffee shop?

If you don’t want to travel far, here is an idea to try. Do a drive of your surrounding neighborhoods and rate the houses you see on a scale from 1 to 10. In the end pick what you think is the best house (do a family vote – and talk about why you like it). At the end of your drive leave a note in the winner’s door (or even knock on the door and meet them) saying that you award them the best Christmas decorations of the _____ (Insert your family’s name) Annual Christmas Light Tour. Thank them for the great decorations and then add an invitation to our church’s Christmas concert.

If you see a house or a street that you think others on a tour would like to see, let us know the street and approximate location. If we get enough we’ll put together a tour you can take any night during the holidays.

If you’re looking for the big displays, here are a few places to go, some have admission but some are free.

Rose Tree Park just north of Media: Every year, during December through early January, the park is decorated for The Festival of Lights. The display features multicolored lights on our beautiful live trees along with familiar Christmas displays.

Directions: Off Route 1 (Media Bypass) to Route 252 (Providence Road) and Rose Tree Road.

Cost: Free

Herrs Potato Chip Factory Christmas Light display: Herrs holiday lights extravaganza has 180,000 lights in this year’s display and is open from 5pm until 7am. Check out their web site for more information at www.herrs.com/WhatsNew/SpecialEvents.html

Directions: Take 1-95 South to Route 322 West to Route 1 South. Exit Route 272 (Nottingham) and turn left. Travel for 50 yards, turn right onto Herr Drive and follow signs to the Herr's^® Snack Factory Tour™.

Cost: Free

Longwood Gardens - This year, Longwood is transformed into a winter wonderland filled with sparkling lights, fragrant flowers, joyous music and a dazzling ice skating extravaganza. Dancing fountains are synchronized to holiday music in the Open Air Theatre, and festive organ sing-alongs fill the Ballroom with the sounds of the season. Check out their website for show times at www.longwoodgardens.org. The light display is open from dusk to 9pm.

Directions: Longwood Gardens is located on US Route 1, about 3 miles northeast of Kennett Square, PA. Longwood is an easy drive and offers free parking!

Cost: Adults $16 and students $6 Children under 4 free.

Shady Brook Farms - Experience millions of lights illuminating acres of farmland. Whimsical Holiday displays and familiar characters. Drive through in the comfort of your own car or watch the show on a moonlit hayride. Take a look at their web site at www.shadybrookfarm.com for more details. They are open from Dusk to 10pm

Directions: Take I-95 to Exit 49 (Newtown/Yardley, formerly Exit 30) Follow Route 332 West ¼ mile to traffic light. Turn left onto Stoney Hill Rd. The entrance is ¼ mile down the road on the right.

Cost is $20 per car load.