Christmas traditions where you live

[lynleestar]

Any other towns decorate like crazy?? We don't go all out, but they line the main drag with Christmas lights

There's a 10 foot (or more) Santa that sits on the court house lawn. He's there every year for as long as I can remember

can see a little of the tree behind him

My favorite thing....don't know why I love it so much, but they light up all the stained glass windows at the court house...not the greatest pics but you can see it a bit

Saturday is the big SANTA PARADE~! He rides through town on a fire truck, then goes to 'Santa's Chalet', a little Santa house they put up every year, he's there for a few hours every day for kids to come sit on his lap. Around the Chalet and big lit up tree they have a little train track w/ the cutest little train for the kids to ride. I'll get a pic as soon as the get the house put up.


What do they do where you're at??

 

[jj2]

The Peoria Festival of Lights. It's something to see.

It's starts off with a parade which will take place in a few days and then what was in parade is taken to where they have a ton of other stuff setup.
A couple of days after the parade that place opens and people can drive through.
Each year they add something new.
It has things from Christmas to Star Wars all formed in lights. My favorite is the ski lift and the Klondikes.

Edit: I should add that it's been around long enough that they started spreading some of the stuff around town because they have to make room for the new.
Believe me when I say you can kill a few hours trying to see it all.

http://www.cityofeastpeoria.com/index.cfm?pageID=28

 

[keyzygirl]

We have a lighted boat parade,Everything from schooners to little skiffs.Its cool to see them all go by in the water playing Christmas music.

 

[lynleestar]

wow, you're almost 4 hours away from me.....no Festival of Lights for me

The Peoria Festival of Lights. It's something to see.

It's starts off with a parade which will take place in a few days and then what was in parade is taken to where they have a ton of other stuff setup.
A couple of days after the parade that place opens and people can drive through.
Each year they add something new.
It has things from Christmas to Star Wars all formed in lights. My favorite is the ski lift and the Klondikes.

Edit: I should add that it's been around long enough that they started spreading some of the stuff around town because they have to make room for the new.
Believe me when I say you can kill a few hours trying to see it all.

Festival of Lights Holiday Light Show - City of East Peoria

 

[lynleestar]

Another thing that hadn't even crossed my mind; every year our local radio personality does his 'Deserving Children's Roofsit'....makes a sort of shanty on top of the radio station and stays on the air for 3 days straight (taking maybe 3 hours each day to rest, if that), all to raise money for the less fortunate children in our area. This September he raised over $40,000~! They take applications for people to volunteer to take the kids Christmas shopping. I've donated every year and applied to escort a kid without ever getting a response.....today I got my letter with the 2 kids names and where and when to meet them. Each child gets $100 and the stores cooperate not to charge sales tax. The parents write out a list of what the children need. My mom and I are so excited to get the chance to do this.....hope the weather is halfway peaceful on Dec. 7th~!

 

[gramakittycat]

We have a lighted boat parade,Everything from schooners to little skiffs.Its cool to see them all go by in the water playing Christmas music.

I saw a show on television about this boat parade;maybe /maybe not same one.Such an array of boats and decorations!

 

[BradSmith]

Frankenmuth in Southern Michigan does it up big time. It's also called Little Bavaria. It's home to Bronners Christmas store. It's a massive store dedicated to selling Christmas stuff. It's the worlds largest Christmas store. Plus they make really good beer in Frankenmuth. They also have Zehnders who makes just about the best Chicken anywere.

Christmas ornaments, lights, decorations and trees | Bronners.com | Christmas lights, personalized ornaments, artificial trees, Nativity scenes, Christmas decorations, Christmas stockings and hangars

Zehnder's of Frankenmuth, Frankenmuth, MI | Your Top Michigan Family Vacation Destination

Christmas in Frankenmuth Michigan: Bavarian City Celebrates Xmas with Joyful Festivities and Fun

 

[lynleestar]

wow...almost a 6 hour drive for me to Santa Claus, IN....I can only imagine what it's like there~!

 

[jj2]

wow, you're almost 4 hours away from me.....no Festival of Lights for me

They have bus tours from other states that come. If you are in the mood for a road trip it's worth the effort.