Lights in the Heights 2006

Once again Lights in the Heights is upon us. Houstonist has a summary, while the Chron has all you need to know.

"This year we are doing it a little differently, running from 6-10 p.m.," said Sharon Greiff, who co-chairs the event with Woodland Heights Civic Association president Terri Guerra.

"It normally ran from 6-9 p.m., but the problem was that since we added the parade a few years ago, people were doing that and then walking and just revving up by 9, so we decided to do it this way and see how it goes," she added.

The association faces a big job each year, putting together the massive holiday street party that draws in excess of 10,000 people to the neighborhood just east of the Houston Heights.

The event, as always, is free, and this year runs from the 400 block of Euclid and Byrne streets all the way to the Norhill esplanade seven blocks to the west.

[...]

The event will start from the intersection of Florence Street along the route with a parade, which Greiff said is a little more "robust" this year.

It will feature at least six art cars, a fire truck, marching bands and mounted police.

"The last is great because everyone loves horses," she said.

In addition to the longer hours, another small change is that lights will be strung along the Norhill esplanade, which was wired for electricity just over a month ago.

"We always got by on generators before, but between Lights in the Heights and the Home Tour folks, this is going to be a lot easier," Greiff said.

The esplanade will be home to Santa Claus, who, after the parade, will be available for photos.

Also, the WHCA will be selling T-shirts and other novelties to support the costs of this year's event as well as in 2007.

T-shirts are also on sale before the event at Buchanan's Native Plants, 611 E 11th St., C&D Hardware, 314 E 11th St. and Oo La La, 833 Studewood.

"We figured why should all of those street corner vendors have all the fun and get the proceeds," Greiff said. "So we're going to try that this year to raise money for the event.

"We've got some Santa hats that glow and blink and reindeer antlers that glow in the dark, lighted necklaces and that's it. We didn't want to go too far."

[...]

Greiff turned a bit serious when she talked about the parking situation.
"We do tell everyone that the route is closed, and it starts getting closed around 5:30 p.m.," she said. "So if you want to get parking even remotely close, come much earlier. Parking is always going to be tough because we keep this free. That's just how it is."

Some local businesses welcome the extra traffic, but others are not so excited about people parking in their lots and have said they will tow. So Greiff said to exercise some common sense.

"There's street parking all around, and getting there early helps, but once you get around 6:30-7 p.m., don't even think about getting near the route," she said. "The only people allowed in or out in cars are the homeowners, not their guests.

"You'll need proof of residency like an ID or driver's license to get in. So if you get there late, you're going to walk, which isn't so bad because you'll be walking all over the route anyway.

"Carpooling helps because the more people you can pile into your car, the better off you'll be."

My advice has always been to park west of Studewood and walk from there. Arriving early is also smart.

Anyway, Marty Hajovsky brings the memories of Lights past. Here's what I wrote about it last year - thankfully, Studewood is no longer under construction, so you needn't worry about that.

If you've never been, Lights is one of the best and most fun things you can do for free in Houston. It's very kid friendly, too - I think Olivia will really love it this year. Come on over to the Woodland Heights this Saturday and see for yourself what Lights in the Heights is all about.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on December 08, 2006 to Elsewhere in Houston | TrackBack