2009 Christmas Light Wrap-up

This Christmas Light season was the most difficult for tracking lights since I started doing this (2001). We experienced several weekdays and weekends of rain that prevented or delayed displays from going up or resulted in reduced wattage for some. Then on December 18 we had a major snow storm which closed local roads for several days and damaged some displays. This forced many display owners to scramble to uncover or make repairs before Christmas day.

As a result of all the foul weather, this is the first year that I did not make it by all displays on the list before Christmas and I did not get new photos for all I visited (all new photos for 2009 are up.) I also, did not visit any commercial lights shows or lighted boat parades this season.

Stats for 2009

There are 38 displays on the Tacky List, 26 Honorable Mentions and 3 Tacky Businesses.
We had 36 of 41 displays return from the 2008 Tacky List.
Display #23, 4540 Orr Drive, Chantilly, took this year off but promised to return with a new show in 2010.
One new display was added to the list (#43-12708 Kettering Dr , Herndon).
We lost a few but, gained 4 new Honorable Mentions (# C, E, M, Z).
We lost 4 displays from the Tacky list in 2009:
• #12 - 3912 Lincolnshire Street, Annandale – a long time personal favorite
• #20 - 5509 Sequoia Farms Drive, Centreville
• #27 - 5017 Swinton Drive, Fairfax
• #32 - 5059 Dequincey Drive, Fairfax

Final Words for ‘09

Thanks to all who took the time to email me regarding the lights. More than ever, I need your help to keep this site alive. I count on the Fairfax community to find new displays and to keep me informed. I honestly could not maintain this site without assistance from the Christmas-light-loving public.
And lastly, we owe a huge debt of thanks to all of the display owners. You had to work extra hard this year, (due to bad weather and, in some cases, personal hardship) to get your displays up this season. Once again, you made the season bright for us all with your exceptional and unique displays. You each possess a talent and creativity unmatched by your peers. The joy and peace I feel when visiting each display makes all my work in cataloging them worthwhile. God bless you all. May your lights always shine brightly.

Until next Christmas season, May your days and nights always be Merry and Bright.
Holly

Please have a safe and enjoyable New Year’s holiday.

Received word from most display owners that they are back ON and the roads are passable.
Please use extra caution on neighborhood roads and be prepared in case you get stuck.

The Collingwood display (#14) has been off since the snow storm.
He lost a tree that destroyed part of his display.
He’s hoping to have it working again on Christmas Eve.
Please check his blog for the latest info.

Also, he is very concerned about parking as there is no plowed shoulders to park on.
Does anyone have a plow that could clear the shoulders near his home?

I have not made it out to all the displays this year but I have pics up for the ones I have visited.
This is probably my last post before Christmas so…

Merry Christmas and Enjoy the Lights!

Holly

Since I’m snowbound (as are most of you), I decided I’d try to get new photos I’ve taken this year up on the site. I’ve got quite a backlog. To view the latest photos, check the top of the home page. Look for the red “New 2009 Photos“. It will be followed by a list of which display’s have been updated. I’ll be adding to this over the weekend, so check back. On a weekend like this, it’s the only way to see the lights.

Hope everyone is snug and warm inside.
Enjoy the snow storm, as this doesn’t happen much in the Washington D.C. area.
We almost never have a white Christmas but, it looks like we might this year.

Any displays planned for this year should be ON by now.
Still making the rounds to verify displays but thanks to many Christmas Light elves, have heard that almost all are, in fact, On.

Have not had any time to visit new addresses submitted, so if any of you visit them, please drop me a line telling me what you think.

Planning to visit the Western Fairfax displays tonight on my way home.
There just aren’t enough hours in the day for me.

Have a busy weekend of light activities planned.
Hope to view some lights tonight and Sunday night.

I’m hoping to join the multitude of Santas at SantarchyDC.com Saturday day and go see the Annapolis boat parade Saturday night. Depending on the length of the line, may visit the “Lights on the Bay” next to the Bay Bridge.

All displays that are going to be lit, should be lit this weekend.

The displays are ON unless otherwise listed below.
If you go by one of the homes with ????, please let me know what you find.

The snow last weekend has caused delay for some displays.
Seems we are losing quite a few this year. (the economy??)
I’ll be making another trip out on 12/9.

NOTE: Lights may be OFF during rain and/or high winds.

Legend: Anything in Red is the latest.  A red ON is a confirmed lights on.  A black ON is an unconfirmed lights on.

NOTE: Lights may be OFF during rain and/or high winds.

Legend: Anything in Red is the latest.  A red ON is a confirmed lights on.  A black ON is an unconfirmed lights on.

Almost ALL Displays should be ON starting this weekend.
Please let me know if any aren’t.

NOTE: Lights may be OFF during rain and/or high winds.

Legend:

Anything in Red is the latest.  A red ON is a confirmed lights on.  A black ON is an unconfirmed lights on.

Tacky Businesses

Time for the start of another wonderful season of colorful, outrageous Christmas Lights!
I’ve already heard from some on the list and two even have their lights on now!Display #23 will be off this year but promises to return with a new show in 2010.
A few are lighting up on Thanksgiving weekend, so start your viewing plans!

Here’s what I know as of 11/23/09….

If you know of any others on the list that are already lit up, let me know, as I do not have contact info for everyone on the list so, I need help from you to get the word out.

Remember, if you drive-by any display not included, please email me (hollyween@hotmail.com) what you see and where. I’ll try to get by within a week to verify and take photos.

I’ll be resetting the vote counts Thanksgiving weekend and implementing new voting code to reduce voting abuse.
Also, mapping and route functions may be delayed due to new software.
Cheers to a Grand 2009 Tacky Lights Season!

Holly