May 2010 - Parks & Recreation - 61

illum i nat i n g facts

The Winter Lights crew begins constructing the display in October and it takes
six to eight staff members approximately 1,630 man hours to make sure the lights
are strung properly and to set up the displays.
It takes four to six staff members 740 man hours to take down the Winter Lights
exhibits in Seneca Creek State Park.
More than 7,000 feet of light cord is used to create the Tunnel of Lights in Seneca Creek.
The tree in San Jacinto Plaza is an Afghan Pine and is decorated with 5,000 light
bulbs (amber, blue, green & red) and over 500 ornaments. The 54-foot tree was
donated by Mrs. Corrine Boyce of El Paso in 1998 in memory of her late husband,
Charles (Chuck) Boyce.
The other 16 trees inside San Jacinto Plaza are decorated with 350 light bulbs
each. The 21 sidewalk trees are decorated with 350 light bulbs each and the 11 palm
trees are decorated with 350 light bulbs each.

The festival grew each year and the city continued to add displays. By 1995 the festival had
become so popular, the department of parks and
recreation, the Mayor, and the city council and staff
signed a 10-year contract with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to secure a new
venue. The Winter Lights Festival was moved to
Seneca Creek State Park, which has roads that
weave through tree-lined grounds and numerous
open fields ideal for setting up large light displays
for people to enjoy from the comfort of their own
cars.
El Paso, Texas, is another city with a big holiday
lights festival. This year marks the 75th anniversary
of its annual holiday tree lighting and parade. More
than 70,000 people attend the annual Holiday Light
Parade which kicks off in San Jacinto Plaza when the
mayor, (along with a child from Candlelighters-
children affected by cancer) flips the switch to turn
on the lights on the 54-foot tree, serving as the focal
point of the ceremony.
The tree lighting is followed by the Parade of
Lights consisting of more than 50 bands, marching
units, cheerleading groups, and floats, all of which
must be illuminated. Anyone can enter to be in the
parade and people sign up in October. Some of
the floats come from El Paso's annual Thanksgiving parade (which draws 300,000
people). This year the parade secured the El Paso Employees Federal Credit Union
as a major sponsor of the anniversary celebration will include fireworks and laser
light show. " The economic downturn has affected everybody, " says Nanette Smejkal, Director of Parks and Recreation for El Paso. " Knowing tax funds are few and

The Winter Lights Festival in Seneca
Creek State Park in Gaithersburg,
Maryland (opposite page) covers 3.5 miles
and has more than 380 displays. This year
marks the 75th anniversary of the Holiday
Light Parade and Festival in San Jacinto
Plaza in El Paso, Texas (above).

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Parks & Recreation 59

May 2010 - Parks & Recreation

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