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December 22, 2008
the dyker heights christmas lights
alol yesterday my roommate was like i rented a zip car to go see the lights in dyker heights and it totally reminded me of people talking about that her a while back. wasnt there some kind of brownstoner field trip to see the lights or did that already happen?
anyway we wound up not being able to get the zip car cuz he couldnt find his activation card whatever that means. :(
so how are the lights there and what should i expect?
i thought there would be many more lights in park slope than there is. it's pretty slim pickins. (and the people across from me have a tree up.. you can see into their living room from my apartment and they have this HUGE tree with, kid you not, a light set of about 25!) i dont know if they are trying to save energy or what but that is not enough lights. the rule is 100 lights per foot of tree!
*rob*
Comments
Rob, you can easily get to Dyker Heights by taking the R to Bay Ridge Avenue and then getting on the #1 bus. You'll not only have a nice ride through Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights, but you'll probably enjoy the lights way more on foot. If you want an idea of the lights and music, there's lots to see on YouTube (or even on public television, which runs and reruns "Dyker Lights" at this time every year).
Posted by: vinca at December 22, 2008 9:48 AM
I actually ventured to Dyker Heights just Saturday to see the lights. No Zipcar necessary. You don't really need a bus. It's a about a 10-15 minute walk from the R train (86th Street exit). Head east along 86th St. to 11th Ave or so. Then follow the crowds.
As for the lights themselves, there's really a range. Some are more or less tasteful, but a few are truly bizare and absolutely worth seeing. Think 15-foot Santas, re-created villages, carnivals complete with nearly life-size ferris wheels, so many lights that you'll squint, etc.
To truly appreciate the experience, though, do check out the Dyker Lights documentary. Some interesting background on the families and the process (it takes them months to both put up and take down the lights each year, for instance).
Have fun!
Posted by: alsawo at December 22, 2008 10:01 AM
They look really great!
I always go there with my hubby. Those mansions are incredible, you have to see it:)
You also have the bus going there, I think it's the B64 and the R train is right there. Few blocks away there is Outback and the lights start around the 14-16 Avenues and Dyker Hghts. Blvd. You can see them alredy from the 86th Street side.
Enjoy it.
Posted by: karo25 at December 22, 2008 10:42 AM
We go every year - the kids won't let us skip it. Some of those houses are spectacular even without the holiday decorations - statuary, fountains, gates and walls. Kinda like some of the houses on Shore Road, but on smaller lots.
Posted by: Sparafucile at December 22, 2008 1:25 PM
Rob,
you should def. try to make it. It's a spectacular sight. The prime block is 84th Street btwn 11th & 12th Aves. Walk around the surrounding blocks also. You'll be floored by the size of these houses.
Also, if you haven't yet gone down 5th Avenue in Manhattan...do it.
I'll post more in the open thread, so more people see it.
Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 22, 2008 3:22 PM
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