Loxton Christmas Lights (2006)
As is usually the case, you take for granted what is virtually on your doorstep. Loxton is approximately 20kms from where we live and last night we visited the Loxton Christmas Lights for the first time.
The Loxton Christmas Lights Festival has its own website where more information and a suggested route map can be downloaded. If you are ever in the Riverland around Christmas time, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the Loxton Christmas Lights.
From their website:
The Loxton Christmas Lights Festival started when a local fruit grower, Peter Mangelsdorf was inspired to start a small Christmas display at his Loxton East property. 21 years on and it has grown to a superb display known as Christmas Wonderland. The 250m frontage of Peter’s property is filled with a magnificent diaplsy of Christmas lights and images, ranging from Bethlehem scenes to popular characters dressed for the festive season.
Doug and Heather Falland (now deceased), began decorating their 80ft TV tower with lights in the late 1970′s and were also inspired to create a Christmas display at the front of their home where they lived in Hilbig Street. Great interest and enthusiasm was shown amongst the Hilbig Street residents that in 1990 ‘Santa’s Walk’ was born.
The enthusiasm didn’t stop there! More and more people throughout the town started to light up their homes and create garden displays. Each year there is always something new to see and currently there is over 250 garden and light displays. It truly is a delight to drive or walk around the town and soak up the festive atmosphere.
In 1991, due to the large influx of visitors during this festive time a ‘Loxton Christmas Street Decorating Committee’ was formed. It co-ordinates many of the Christmas events along with the Chamber of Commerce and the Loxton Visitor Information Centre. The committee works throughout the year, planning and maintaining a large majority of the displays.
The Loxton Lights Festival runs for a month, so make sure you plan a trip to the Riverland during the festive season and explore the many other attractions in the region.
