Christmas Card Lane facts for kids
Christmas Card Lane is a super cool holiday light display in San Diego, California. It's located in a community called Rancho Penasquitos. This display is one of the most famous holiday shows in San Diego! People who live there put up giant plywood greetings in their front yards. These displays often show fun cartoon characters, religious scenes, or classic Christmas themes.
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What is Christmas Card Lane?
Christmas Card Lane is a special neighborhood event where residents decorate their homes and yards with amazing holiday displays. Imagine driving through streets filled with huge, colorful "Christmas cards" made of plywood! These aren't just small decorations; they are often very large and detailed, showing all sorts of festive scenes.
How Did It Start?
Christmas Card Lane began in 1982. A resident named Alana Hastings wanted to share the Christmas spirit with more people. She thought it would be a great way for the close-knit community to celebrate together. At first, only 15 families on Ellingham Street joined in. They even called local radio stations to tell everyone about their fun new tradition!
How It Grew
Over the years, Christmas Card Lane became very popular. Now, about 200 families participate! The displays have spread to nearby Oviedo and Renato streets. This means there's even more to see and enjoy. Some displays are so detailed and big that residents keep parts of them up all year long, ready for the next holiday season.
Community Fun and Activities
Visiting Christmas Card Lane is a big event for many families. You might see school groups or scouting organizations selling yummy baked goods and hot chocolate. Local school bands often play cheerful Christmas carols, adding to the festive mood. Some groups even rent special transportation like horse-drawn carriages, double-decker buses, or limousines to drive around and sing carols. It's a real community celebration!
When to Visit
The amazing displays at Christmas Card Lane start going up right after Thanksgiving. Most of them are ready to be seen by the second week of December. You can enjoy them all the way through New Year's. Some of the more detailed displays take weeks of hard work to prepare, showing how much effort the residents put into making this holiday tradition special.
