2008 Holiday Lights
Lights on the Lake
8700 E. 29th St. N.,
Wichita, KS
http://www.lightsonthelake.org/
This display is a significant fundraiser for Heartspring, a local nonprofit that helps children with autism, developmental disabilities and other disorders. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Lights on the Lake started five years ago as a way to make the Heartspring campus seem a little more homey for residential students spending the holidays there. Now just about every inch of the 37-acre campus is lit up.
Added features: Tune in on your car radio to listen to a recording by residents of the Heartspring school. Visit the hospitality center for hot chocolate and a photo taken with Santa. You'll also find the signature 40-foot Christmas tree, motorcycle-riding Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more. (Photos with Santa are $3.)
Hours: 6-10 p.m. Thu.-Sun. through Dec. 7, and 6-10 p.m. nightly Dec. 11-25. Hospitality center with hot drinks and holiday treats open 6-9 p.m. Dec. 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21.
Info: 316-634-8821
Lights on St. Paul
2919 W. 2nd,
Wichita, KS
http://www.arc-sedgwickcounty.org/LightsOnStPaul.html
This display is a significant fundraiser for The Arc, a local nonprofit that provides services for people with developmental disabilities. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Many of the million-plus lights are hooked up to a "Light-O-Rama" system that times the displays to music.
The display started in Watson Park 11 years ago. But it really took off after being moved to St. Paul, where the organization is located, seven years ago.
Highlights include a waterfall display, a 90-foot, 36,000-light tunnel that cars drive through and five 22-foot Christmas trees with more than 10,000 lights each. Last year the mile-long route attracted about 13,500 cars. (Photos with Santa are $3.)
Hours: 6-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 6-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu. through Dec. 27, plus 6-11:30 p.m. Dec. 24.
Info: 316-943-1191
Light display to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kansas
14012 W. Remington Lane,
Wichita, KS
http://www.wishks.org
See a computerized lighting display to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kansas, a nonprofit that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. Donations will be accepted.
Hours: Beginning at dusk each evening until Dec. 31.
Winfield Isle of Lights
Island Park, Winfield, KS
This display is in its 15th year of operation. This year, it's a fundraiser for Winfield's Island Park Playground, a popular city playground that was destroyed by fire in October. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Hours: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Dec. 30.