Illuminations

  As the new year begins, our crews have already been busy removing the Christmas displays from the Tour of Lights route.

   However, as the annual de-staging of the holiday season progresses, we are happy to share some very positive numbers on the 2013 "Tour" season.

   Since the Christmas Tour of Lights traditionally begins the day after Thanksgiving, we are at the mercy of the calendar when it comes to calculating total days in a given season. In 2013, Thanksgiving fell a full six days later than it did in 2012. On top of that, we had to close three nights because of the ice storm in early December, leaving us with 28 days this season, compared to 37 in 2012.

   Even so, folks love the lights in Farmers Branch.

   Average traffic per night was up this year. Donations to the non-profit groups working the Tour were up this year. Toys donated to Santa's Helpers were up this year.

   So, we want to take a moment to thank everyone that made the 2013 Tour of Lights a success, especially Neiry Inguanzo, Meredith Dowdy, Porferio Leyva and crew, Earl Marrett and crew, Kerry Phillips, Ross Pittman and Jeff Harting of the Parks and Recreation Department.

   For many years, we've offered community-based non-profits the chance to staff the Historical Park portion of the driving tour in an effort to raise money for their respective organizations by way of donations from Tour-goers. They profit by the donations but we all profit by having these grass-roots community groups invested in this Farmers Branch tradition.

   So, our deepest appreciation is also due to Bea's Kids, Beta Sigma Phi, Boy Scout Troops 713 & 874, Branch Park Academy, Carrollton Farmers Branch Girls' Softball, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Christ 4 Kids Preschool, Christ United Methodist Sojourners Class, Christian Center Mpact Girls Ministry, Cub Scout Pack 837, Farmers Branch Carrollton Art Association, Order of Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls, Farmers Branch Rotary Club, Woman's Club, Friends of the Historical Park, James A. Smith Masonic Lodge, Janie Stark PTA, Knights of Columbus, Mary Immaculate Troop 3199, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, The Firehouse Theater, TOPS, Webb Chapel United Methodist Church, and from R.L. Turner High School - Theater Booster Club, Junior Ambassadors, Future Farmers of America and the Orchestra Booster Club.

   Plans are already underway for the 2014 edition of the Farmers Branch Christmas Tour of Lights, which promises to be the best yet. After another late Thanksgiving, the new Tour will begin on Friday, November 28.  

   Mark your calendars.

Tour of Lights wrap-up

Despite icy weather, shorter calendar, 2013 season shows positive numbers 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Despite losing six days to the calendar, with a later Thanksgiving, and three more to an early-season ice storm, the 2013 edition of the Christmas Tour of Lights still produced results that easily compare to prior years. 

   According to a Parks and Recreation Department report, an average of 326 visited the Tour of Lights per night in 2013, compared to an average of 283 in 2012.

   This season featured a Thanksgiving weekend start that was six days later than in 2012. The Tour was further hampered by icy weather in early December. As such, the 2013 run clocked in at 28 days, nine less than the 37 days the previous year. 

    Overall, donations to the non-profit groups working the Tour each night, totaled $23,208 this year. Groups in 2012 received $27,414. 

   However, this season still resulted in a higher average donations total per night with $828, compared to $740 last year. Additionally, the Tour of Lights collected 244 toys for less fortunate kids in North Texas as part of WFAA's Santa's Helpers annual toy drive.  

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