Well, it’s the last week for this season’s light displays.
Most will turn off after New Years.

Two late additions to the list:

1. #40-4520 Gage St, Alexandria (son of #13 Fairview) has been promoted up from the Honorable Mention
2. #41-8433 Washington Ave, Alexandria, a new display for this year

Displays I highly recommend you visit this year: 13, 14, 17, 28, 29, 31, 35 and 3.

Displays 7, 37, & 38 are in the neighborhood of Pimmit Hills. There are several nicely decorated street you should ride down if visiting there: Pimmit Rd, Griffith Rd and Storm.

Display 12 has a couple nice displays nearby. If visiting, also see the display on the corner of Gallows and Brookcrest, and one on Patricia.

Viewing Etiquette Reminder:

• When watching a light show, please turn off your headlights!
• And, of course, DO NOT ENTER ANY DISPLAY!

Over the next week I’ll be revisiting some of my favorites and going to a few Commercial Light shows on the Maryland side of the Beltway, where I work. I’ll try to make it by any new display submissions I have not visited yet but, I can’t guarantee it.

I’ve been making notes of things I want to change or add to the website. If you have a suggestion for the site, feel free to send it to me at hollyween@hotmail.com. I will be modifying the voting code to stop the voting abuse that has occurred for the last two years and I will be resetting vote counts that are out of line.

I’ll write at least one more post to wrap up this season.
So, get out there and see those lights while you can!
Holly

Forgot to mention I’ll be at the Water Skiing Santa show at National Harbor on December 24 at 1pm sharp. Join me. For info, visit www.waterskiingsanta.com

Merry, Merry!

Well, I’ve been to all the homes on the list and taken new pictures. Hope to have all new pictures up by December 29th.  I still have a few new displays to check out but probably will not get to those until after Christmas. I’ll be busy with Christmas for the next few days, visiting my favorite displays and enjoying some needed time off.

One Honorable Mention has been promoted to the list. Innisfree is now #3 on the list. Much bigger and brighter display than last year.

Are you into Luminarias? Want to know what and where they are? Then check out my info page on them at http://www.fairfaxchristmas.lights.com/luminaria.html. I’m going to try to visit them both on Christmas eve or Christmas night, based on the weather.

Most light displays are on until the New Year so continue to let me know if you see a comparable one. I try to check them out before the lights go off for this year.

Have a Merry Christmas
Holly

Was out last night getting photos and visiting new display suggestions and must tell you about two of them.

#29- 18915 Rock Brook Ct in Clifton is an absolute must-see. “Dancing Forest”. A vision in white. I was blown away. He has Channel 4 visiting him on Monday. Absolutely beautifully decorated home.

#28- 1072 Rocky Run Rd in McLean. I got there too late to see the show but could tell from all the wireframes that you’ll want to check this one out. Will try to go back by tonight.

Visited Juniper St in Sterling last night and with my new digital camera I was able to fully photograph it for the first time. I got there after a few displays had already turned off but I thinks there’s even more homes decorating than before. Check out all the new photos on its’ detail page.

Confirmed two more display are Gone. Photos have been moved to Past Displays page.

1. 9419 Braymore Circle, Fairfax Station
2. 9117 Anderson Lane, Fort Belvoir

Whew! Having a full time job and trying to do all this is tough!

Light Status
If past displays are decorating they should be on by now.
Note that rainy/windy weather forces some displays to be off (blown fuses).

Displays that have returned: #6 Lawyers, #23 Orr
Display that are gone: #3 Chain Bridge, #18 Anderson
Display that have substantially cut back: #1 Ash, #6 Galloping Way
Display I have yet to visit: #5 Wilbur, #15 Juniper, #21 Stones Throw, #27 Swinton, #29 Braymore, #31 Hanover and all new submission listed on the Honorable Mentions page
New Displays: #35 Fremont, #36 Birnam, #37&38 Pimmit Hills

PHOTOS
I am trying to replace all pictures on the site. This is a work in progress.
Photos have been replaced for the following displays: #3, #6, #7, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #17, #18, #23, #26, #35, #36, #37, #38
I have visited the following displays and hope to post the photos soon: #16 Shadow, #24 Henderson, #25 Lorton, #30 & 34 Hereford, #32 Dequincey, #33 Wayfarer
Need to revisit for more photos: #8 Quebec, #9 Wills, #20 Sequoia Farms, #19 Stonehunt, #22 Ferrara

New Submissions
There are several new display submission (listed on Honorable Mentions page) and I would appreciated if you visit them, sending me your opinions. If I get enough raving reviews for a display, I’ll add it to the list without photos until I can get out there.

Will attempt to get all Suggested Routes updated before the weekend.
That’s all for now…

Just completed an interview with WTOP.com that will appear on their website on 12/16/08.  Also, features the Fairview (#13) and Collingwood (#14) homes.
Did not make it out as planned on 12/11 due to rain. Also, didn’t make it to Annapolis boat parade (not feeling well).

Visited and verified a few more home this weekend.
Updates on 12/08/08 post, status chart, appear in blue.
New display added to list - 5406 Fremont St., Springfield - very unique light show.

I’m planning to replace all photos on the site with new ones but it’s a slow process. With my new digital camera taking the pictures is easy. It’s getting the time to resize and post them that is the hold up now.

Sad note: This may be the last year for the Fairview and Collingwood displays.  Both owners are feeling the strain of decorating. It’s been a tough year for decorators due to the late Thanksgiving. Consider stuffing a Christmas card in the mail boxes of your favorites to say thanks for all the hard work.

Visited a few on the Southern route last night and have updated the status in orange in the 12/08/08 table post below.
Met Mr. & Mrs. Henderson. Have been doing this for 15 years and plan to continue as long as they live there. Lovely people. Said to tell folks to please drive through the driveway to view the lights.

Next status updates on 12/12 and 12/14.
If the display is going to be lit, it will be lit by 12/14 otherwise, assume no display this year.

Santa Jam is this Thursday at the State Theater. Come for the great music and for a good cause. Visit www.santajam.org for more information. (organizer is a good friend of mine)

Planning to attend the Annapolis boat parade this Saturday.
That’s all for now…

Hi Tacky Light Lovers,
Been busy since last posting driving around to check out lights and trying to get my own decorations up.
Decided I should publish a complete status as it stands today.
Note: If decorating this year, should be ON by 12/13/08 at latest.
Enjoy the lights….

Tacky Lights Status

Honorable Mentions Status

Did not make it to the Alexandria Lighted Boat parade this year but, still planning on going to Annapolis Lighted Boat parade and then to Sandy Point’s Lights on the Bay. May take carriage ride since last year I think a lot of people had the same idea to visit Show after the Boat parade.

Thinking strongly of going up to West Virginia’s Olgebay lights but not finalized.

More…

Received word from a few more and drove by a couple houses last night…