by Ann Fletcher

‘Tis the season of lights – a time for solo sparklers and lighted alliances.

It’s the time of year when the Herald Weekly recognizes elaborately-lit homes in the area.  We call single homes “solo sparklers,” and groups of homes “lighted alliances.” You’ll find both on our annual tour.

Now in its seventh year, “The Tour of De-Lights” lists homes in Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson that spread the joy of the season by creating a winter wonderland of their own.

They go beyond the simple lighting of doorways, trees, and eaves – far beyond a grazing deer, a waving snowman or trumpeting angel. Their bulb counts number in the tens of thousands.

These homes make a drive through the neighborhood feel like a festival.

To help readers know where to find such homes, The Herald Weekly publishes a list. We call it the “Tour of De-Lights,” and if you’re creating a light display at your house this year, we invite you to be part of our 2011 Tour.

Send an email with your full address including neighborhood and town to ann@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com.

Feel free to comment on why you like to decorate, or let us know if your display is in honor or memory of someone special. Maybe your decorating tradition started elsewhere and you’re continuing it here, or maybe you’re going all out for the very first year.

Whatever your story, we want you to be a part of our annual tradition.

If you’re one of several homes on a street or cul-de-sac that decorates en masse, submit your addresses together in our “lighted alliance” category. Last year, it featured memorable mini-villages like Locust Grove Lane in Cedarfield and Lavenham Road in Northstone.

Entries will be accepted through December 9 at noon. Tour previewers (volunteer light lovers) will be out Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 9, 10, and 11, 6-10 pm. They won’t rate homes in five degrees of brilliance as in the past; the homes are bright enough to speak for themselves. But they’ll take a few notes as to what makes a home unique and take some photos, so be sure your lights shine those nights.

Randy “Snow Globe” Jones, a Huntersville resident and lighting aficionado who’s in his seventh year volunteering with the Tour, will lead previewers.

Jones’ history with the paper includes winning the Herald’s “Christmas Lighting Contest” in 2004. The Tour was introduced the following year.

Jones said he’s looking forward to seeing all the lighted homes this year. And true to tradition, he’s already begun decorating his own home.

Look for the “Tour of De-Lights” listing in our December 16 issue. Then venture out with list in hand to warm your heart with our “de-light-ful” tradition.

Want to join the tour?

Know of a home that has what it takes to be part of the Herald Weekly’s Tour De-Lights? Email ann@carolinaweekly
newspapers.com and let us know where we can find the area’s best Christmas light displays.