2009 - One Tough Season

Posted by Tacky Holly - January 19th, 2010

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

End of Season Light Status 12/30/09

Posted by Tacky Holly - December 30th, 2009

Last Day Lit

Display

Dec. 31

#19- 6226 Stonehunt Place, Clifton

Jan. 1

#9- 6283 Wills Street, Alexandria

#13- 2507 Fairview Drive, Alexandria

#25- 8209 Lorton Road, Lorton

#36- 7815 Birnam Wood Dr, McLean

#HM-X 5156 37th Street N., Arlington

Jan. 2

#17- 5700 Claret Place, Centreville

#30- 5604 Hereford Court, Alexandria

#31- 6512 Hanover Heights Trail, Clifton

#41- 8433 Washington Ave, Alexandria

Jan. 3

#28- 1072 Rocky Run Rd, McLean

#33- 7338 Wayfarer Drive, Fairfax Station

#35- 5406 Fremont St., Springfield

Jan. 4

#24- 11610 Henderson Road, Clifton

Jan. 5

#3- 8515 Innisfree Drive, Springfield

#22- 13897 Ferrara Court, Chantilly

Jan. 6

#26- 9806 Sharon Court, Fairfax

#29- 13915 Rock Brook Court, Clifton

Jan. 7

#10- 6634 South Kings Highway, Alexandria

#HM-S 8535 Hooes Rd, Springfield

Jan. 9

#14- 1601 Collingwood Road, Alexandria

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

Light Status 12/23/09

Posted by Tacky Holly - December 23rd, 2009

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

Tacky Lights Website

Posted by Tacky Holly - December 19th, 2009

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.

Last Light Status 2009

Posted by Tacky Holly - December 16th, 2009

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.

Holly’s Weekend Doings

Posted by Tacky Holly - December 11th, 2009

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.

Light Status 12/8/09

Posted by Tacky Holly - December 8th, 2009

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.

Mapno.

Addr

Date On/Status

1

5407 Francy Adams Court, Fairfax

12/13/09

5

7704 Wilbur Court, Springfield

ON

6

10203 Lawyers Road, Vienna

????

11

128 Nutley Street NW, Vienna

Lights up - not on 11/29

12

3912 Lincolnshire Street, Annandale

No decorations up as of 12/2/09

13

2507 Fairview Drive, Alexandria

Still decorating 12/3/09

15

E. Juniper Avenue, Sterling

????

16

10715 Shadow Lane, Fairfax Station

????

17

5700 Claret Place, Centreville

ON

18

9804 Kirktree Court, Fairfax

ON

20

5509 Sequoia Farms Drive

OFF for 2009

21

11303 Stones Throw Drive, Reston

ON

23

4540 Orr Drive, Chantilly

OFF for 2009

26

9806 Sharon Court, Fairfax

Lights up – not on 12/7/09

27

5017 Swinton Drive, Fairfax

No decorations up as of 12/7/09

30

5604 Hereford Court, Alexandria

12/06/09

32

5059 Dequincey Drive, Fairfax

Very little up 12/7/09

33

7338 Wayfarer Drive, Fairfax Station

ON

34

5601 Hereford Court, Alexandria

ON

35

5406 Fremont St., Springfield

12/11/09

36

7815 Birnam Wood Dr, McLean

????

38

1925 Leonard Rd, Falls Church

????

39

1610 N Abingdon St, Arlington

????

40

4520 Gage Rd, Alexandria

No decorations up as of 12/3/09

41

8433 Washington Ave, Alexandria

No decorations up as of 12/3/09

HM-A

Corner of Fitzhugh St & Boothe Dr, Burke

????

HM-B

1615 N Lexington Street, Arlington

????

HM-C

N Rochester St, Falls Church

????

HM-D

10000 Garrett St (corner of Lawyers), Vienna

????

HM-E

5241 Richardson Drive, Fairfax

Gone-Moved from area

HM-F

10023 Glenoak Ct, Vienna

????

HM-G

2345 Sandburg St, Dunn Lorring

????

HM-H

3909 Lincolnshire St, Annandale

Lights up – not on 12/02

HM-I

5107 Pheasant Ridge Rd, Fairfax

????

HM-J

Harwood Place, Springfield

????

HM-K

5811 Ash Drive, Springfield

????

HM-L

3801 Center Way, Fairfax

ON

HM-M

11003 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station

????

HM-N

12549 Lt Nichols Rd, Fairfax

????

HM-O

7310 Brookcrest Pl, Annandale

ON

HM-P

2905 Preston Avenue, Alexandria

????

HM-Q

3657 N Rockingham St, Arlington

????

HM-R

8311 Guinevere Dr, Annandale

????

HM-S

8535 Hooes Rd, Springfield

ON

HM-T

7208 & 7212 Backlick Rd, Springfield

????

HM-U

3999 University Drive, Fairfax

ON – not as decorated as in past

HM-V

Plum St SW, Vienna

????

HM-X

5156 37th Street N., Arlington

ON

HM-Y

14549B Lock Drive, Centreville

ON

HM-Z

12842 & 12930 Point Pleasant Drive, Fairfax

????

HM-Z1

10333 Lee Manor Drive, Manassas

Nothing up-12/6/09

HM-Z2

7500 Forrester Lane, Manassas

Nothing up-12/6/09

NEW DISPLAYS

4221 Berritt St. Fairfax, 22030

ON

3490 Sweetberry Court, Oakton

ON

2517 Phillips Drive, Alexandria
Next street over from #13

ON

OTHER

Shell Station at the intersection of Route 50 (Fairfax Boulevard) and Jermantown Road is ready for Christmas…lots of inflatables! – Heard from many on this one – Check it out!

Shell Station at the intersection of Old Keene Mill Rd and Rolling Rd is dancing with lights and inflatables.

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

Light Status 12/04/09

Posted by Tacky Holly - December 5th, 2009

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

Mapno.

Addr

Date On

1

5407 Francy Adams Court, Fairfax

12/07/09

2

3309 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax

ON

3

8515 Innisfree Dr., Springfield

ON

4

6520 33rd Street, Falls Church

ON

7

7723 Fisher Drive, Falls Church

ON

9

6283 Wills Street, Alexandria

ON

10

6634 South Kings Highway, Alexandria

ON

11

128 Nutley Street NW, Vienna

Lights up - not on 11/29

12

3912 Lincolnshire Street, Annandale

No decorations up as of 12/2/09

13

2507 Fairview Drive, Alexandria

Still decorating

14

1601 Collingwood Road, Alexandria

12/01/09

19

6226 Stonehunt Place, Clifton

12/05/09

21

11303 Stones Throw Drive, Reston

ON

22

13897 Ferrara Court, Chantilly

ON

23

4540 Orr Drive, Chantilly

OFF for 2009

26

9806 Sharon Court, Fairfax

12/06/09

28

1072 Rocky Run Rd, McLean

12/05/09

29

13915 Rock Brook Court, Clifton

ON

30

5604 Hereford Court, Alexandria

12/06/09

31

6512 Hanover Heights Trail, Clifton

ON

33

7338 Wayfarer Drive, Fairfax Station

ON

34

5601 Hereford Court, Alexandria

ON

37 & HM-W

1752 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church

ON

40

4520 Gage Rd, Alexandria

No decorations up as of 12/3/09

41

8433 Washington Ave, Alexandria

No decorations up as of 12/3/09

HM-E

Gone-Moved from area

HM-H

3909 Lincolnshire St, Annandale

Lights up – not on 12/02

HM-L

3801 Center Way, Fairfax

ON

HM-O

7310 Brookcrest Pl, Annandale

ON

HM-S

8535 Hooes Rd, Springfield

12/05/09

HM-U

3999 University Drive, Fairfax
Old Town Fairfax Festival of Lights

12/05/09

HM-X

5156 37th Street N., Arlington

12/07/09

HM-Y

14549B Lock Drive, Centreville

ON

NEW DISPLAYS

4221 Berritt St. Fairfax, 22030

12/04/09

3490 Sweetberry Court, Oakton

ON

2517 Phillips Drive, Alexandria
Next street over from #13

ON

OTHER

Shell Station at the intersection of Route 50 (Fairfax Boulevard) and Jermantown Road is ready for Christmas…lots of inflatables!

Shell Station at the intersection of Old Keene Mill Rd and Rolling Rd is dancing with lights and inflatables.

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

Lights Status 11/30/09

Posted by Tacky Holly - November 30th, 2009

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.

Mapno. Addr Date On
2 3309 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax ON
3 8515 Innisfree Dr., Springfield ON
4 6520 33rd Street, Falls Church ON
7 7723 Fisher Drive, Falls Church ON
9 6283 Wills Street, Alexandria ON
11 128 Nutley Street NW, Vienna Lights up - not on Sunday
14 1601 Collingwood Road, Alexandria 12/01/09
19 6226 Stonehunt Place, Clifton 12/05/09

23

4540 Orr Drive, Chantilly OFF for 2009
28 1072 Rocky Run Rd, McLean 12/05/09
29 13915 Rock Brook Court, Clifton ON
30 5604 Hereford Court, Alexandria 12/06/09
31 6512 Hanover Heights Trail, Clifton ON
33 7338 Wayfarer Drive, Fairfax Station ON
34 5601 Hereford Court, Alexandria 11/28/09 to 12/04/09
37 & HM-W 1752 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church ON
HM-Y 14549B Lock Drive, Centreville ON
Old Town Fairfax Festival of Lights and Carols is on Saturday (12/5) in Kitty Pozer Park (next to Old Town Hall). 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Caroling and Lighting of the Tree.

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

Shell Station at the intersection of Route 50 (Fairfax Boulevard) and Jermantown Road is ready for Christmas…lots of inflatables!
Shell Station at the intersection of Old Keene Mill Rd and Rolling Rd is dancing with lights and inflatables.

Welcome Back 2009!

Posted by Tacky Holly - November 23rd, 2009

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….

Mapno.

Addr

Date On

3

8515 Innisfree Dr., Springfield

11/27/09

4

6520 33rd Street, Falls Church

11/27/09

9

6283 Wills Street, Alexandria

11/27/09

14

1601 Collingwood Road, Alexandria

12/01/09

19

6226 Stonehunt Place, Clifton

12/05/09

23

4540 Orr Drive, Chantilly

OFF for 2009

28

1072 Rocky Run Rd, McLean

12/05/09

29

13915 Rock Brook Court, Clifton

11/26/09

31

6512 Hanover Heights Trail, Clifton

11/27/09

33

7338 Wayfarer Drive, Fairfax Station

ON

34

5601 Hereford Court, Alexandria

11/28/09 to 12/04/09

Honorable Mention-Y

14549B Lock Drive, Centreville

ON

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

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