WESTLAND (WWJ) – It’s another sign the holiday season is almost upon us: the Wayne County Lightfest is set to open its 29th year on Thursday night.
The event, taking place over a five-mile stretch of Hines Park, will feature about 100,000 lights and over 50 animated displays, making it a perfect family-friendly way for Metro Detroiters to celebrate the season.
The “Lights On” opening ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Merriman Hollow Park in Westland, located at 7651 North Merriman Road. The ceremony is free and open to the public, also featuring light refreshments, musical entertainment, and fireworks.
The event will conclude with the traditional “flip of the switch” by Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans, marking the official opening of the Wayne County Lightfest and illuminating the first drive of the season.
Wayne County Parks Director Alicia Bradford told WWJ no matter what holiday you celebrate, the ceremony marks the start of the holiday season.
“Whatever you celebrate, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas… it just does that for you. The ‘Lights On’ means that Christmas is here, the holidays are here,” she said.
The Wayne County Lightfest will run nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. The entrance fee is $5 cash, with additional fees for buses and limos. Visitors enter at Hines Drive and Merriman Road in Westland and exit onto Outer Drive in Dearborn Heights.
Visitors can make a stop at Perrin Park, mid-way through the show, to drop a letter to Santa in the giant mailbox, patronize the concession stand and use the restroom facilities.
Toy Nights, an initiative that allows visitors to donate a new unwrapped toy in lieu of paying the entrance fee, will take place on Nov. 23, Nov. 30, and Dec. 7.
More information on Wayne County Lightfest can be found at www.waynecounty.com.
Related
