Ever wanted to organize a holiday light display in your neighborhood? As the temperatures drop, the lights begin to go up on the historic Peacock Lane in Portland, Oregon. But it isn’t just one house getting an early start on holiday decorations; the entire neighborhood is in it together. Each year, all 31 houses and four apartment complexes lining Peacock Lane unite as neighbors to create a holiday light show to delight visitors.
“Some people say it started as early as 1929, but we know for certain that it goes back to 1947 since we have meeting minutes,” says Becky Patterson, president of the Peacock Lane Neighborhood Association.
Each year the neighborhood pulls out all the stops to create an experience the whole family can enjoy. “We give away cocoa and cider, and it’s so much fun to see all the kids walk around with their grandparents who say ‘I was here when I was your age.’ ”
How to organize a holiday light display
Although this neighborhood has decades under its belt of creating a fantastic lights show, it doesn’t take experience to organize a holiday light display of your own. You may even want to celebrate with a holiday party. “It just takes one person,” says Patterson, who loves how close-knit her community has become because of this tradition. So how do you get started? Patterson lists a few simple steps:
Select someone to spearhead a committee. (Ever wonder what type of neighbor you are? Find out here.
Get the neighbors involved; but don’t make it mandatory. “We like to say it isn’t required, but it’s definitely encouraged,” she adds.
Advertise your event through posters or ads in the newspaper to alert visitors. To offset auto emissions from cars driving by, your organization may want to offer horse-drawn carriage rides or pedi-cabs.
Start planning roughly six months ahead for next year.
Organize a holiday light display in your neighborhood
By Kristy Alpert
Ever wanted to organize a holiday light display in your neighborhood? As the temperatures drop, the lights begin to go up on the historic Peacock Lane in Portland, Oregon. But it isn’t just one house getting an early start on holiday decorations; the entire neighborhood is in it together. Each year, all 31 houses and four apartment complexes lining Peacock Lane unite as neighbors to create a holiday light show to delight visitors.
“Some people say it started as early as 1929, but we know for certain that it goes back to 1947 since we have meeting minutes,” says Becky Patterson, president of the Peacock Lane Neighborhood Association.
Each year the neighborhood pulls out all the stops to create an experience the whole family can enjoy. “We give away cocoa and cider, and it’s so much fun to see all the kids walk around with their grandparents who say ‘I was here when I was your age.’ ”
How to organize a holiday light display
Although this neighborhood has decades under its belt of creating a fantastic lights show, it doesn’t take experience to organize a holiday light display of your own. You may even want to celebrate with a holiday party. “It just takes one person,” says Patterson, who loves how close-knit her community has become because of this tradition. So how do you get started? Patterson lists a few simple steps: