By Dan Murphy
As all of us deal with a “COVID Holiday Season” for the first time, one great, safe way for the family to get out of the house and enjoy the holidays is to take a drive around Westchester, turn on the radio to a Christmas station, and enjoy the Holiday light displays presented by families across the county.
I spent about an hour online searching for a set of homes with light shows that deserve your drive-by. Let’s start with four homes in White Plains at 21 North Kensico Ave.
“We believe that we have the best Christmas light display in New York. Come on out and enjoy our 2020 Computerized Christmas light and music display and discover it for yourself and your family. COVID-19 safety precautions will be in place to protect you and your family for 2020. We were already safe for your family by having it possible to enjoy the show from the safety of your family’s car radio broadcasting on 107.7 FM. It will be unlikely to practice proper social distancing while visiting our backyard so we ask that all family members wear masks while outside of your vehicles.
Hot Chocolate will once again be offered in the Winter Village and be assured that we prepare the pre-measured cups of powdered mix while wearing masks and gloves for your safety. Christmas 2020 will be our thirteenth and final year of our show. We’ve been blessed that many children have grown up with families that have made our show part of their family’s traditions. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed bringing smiles to everyone that has been able to see the show and how its grown since it began in 2008. The physical effort and the time commitment is not sustainable as we’ve gotten older so we must say farewell to the show. We wish you continued good health and prosperity.
“This year we have over 10,000 lights on 144 channels synchronized to music. This will be our thirteenth year of using computer controlled lights however this will be our last year. There are four homes as part of the show this year. Are you visiting Westchester’s Winter Wonderland this season? We’re only 3.1 miles and 9 minutes away. The best part is that unlike the Westchester Winter Wonderland – we’re free!
2020 Show Schedule–Sat., November 28th to Fri., January 1st–5:30pm – 11:00pm 7 days a week.
“The show is a collection of 4 single family homes on North Kensico Ave. You’re welcome to drive on our street but we recommend that you eventually get out and also walk into the backyard of 21 N. Kensico Ave so you can see the Winter Village and see Santa.We don’t do this for a trophy, cash prize, or to be in the Guiness record books. We do this for you and your family,” writes Chuck Barringer. Make this a must visit because it won’t be around next year, and combine it with Westchester Winter Wonderland, $25 per car.
Here’s some more locations for you to drive to: Parsons Street Harrison. Roy Aletti has warmed the hearts of families for more than 40 years with his display. “The expressions are absolutely priceless, especially the young ones who are in awe and become mesmerized by the bright lights. That radiates onto the adults who share in the big smiles and joy,” said Aletti, who has become a Westchester holiday legend. Be sure to check his display out and say Merry Christmas if you see him outside.
Other stops for your drive: New Rochelle, 155 Vaneck Drive, 12 Jenkins Court, Ossining , 50 Iriqois Road, Ossining, 6 Deans Bridge Road Somers . Also go to Somerset Road just down the road in Somers. 7 Andrew Road, Eastchester. And just over the border in Putnam Valley, at 16 Luigi Road is a great display.
I’m sure that I missed a lot of good places, please email them to me and I will print them next week, dmurphy@risingmediagroup.com
A great website to find out where to visit is
christmaslightfinder.com/displays. You can plug in your zip code and how far you want to travel.
The interest in getting out and doing something safe and enjoyable is larger than ever because of COVID 2020. My best example of how interested folks are in getting out and seeing a little holiday cheer is the recent Town of Yorktown’s drive-thru holiday lights attraction at FDR Park.
Originally set for Sat. Dec 5, my daugther and I showed up only to find a State Trooper saying that because of the rains, the event was moved to Sun. Dec 6.
We showed up Dec. 6 and found hundreds of cars lined up on the Taconic Parkway to get into FDR Park. We waited a half-hour only to be told that the event was now over. Thousands of cars were already in the park and hundreds, like us, got turned away. All wishing to see the holiday floats and get a little Christmas cheer.
There are many homes in our county that can give you that same feeling–enjoy!
