Windcrest
Windcrest Light Up 2018
Arctic Ape Joins Windcrest 60th Light Up Celebration 2018 – Bows and Lights – A Tribute to Barbee Winn
Light Up Spectacular started at Windcrest City Hall on December 8th at 6 PM and included: music, pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, arrival of Santa, lighting of the tree and lots of fun with neighbors!
A new, free decorations exchange occured in the City Hall parking lot from 10 AM until Noon on the 8th, where Windcrest can drop off working decorations that are no longer needed and pick up any they need.
Windcrest holds a contest each year, with a different theme and individual categories. This year includes: The Charlie Browniest, Martha Stewart would be proud and Clark Griswold. Congratulations to residents awarded 1st place in these categories, as they are truly magnificent. Charlie Browniest 1st place could not be Charlie Brownier if Charles Shulz had decorated it. 1st and 2nd place Griswold are across the street from each other, and 1st Palce Martha is 0ne block south of these..
Maps of Windcrest with 1st through Honorable Mention places marked, will be available throughout Light Up for a donation to the Windcrest Volunteer Fire Department.
Arctic Ape joins the celebration with decorations inside and out, a picture spot out front, and he sneaked into Santa’s closet to borrow some clothes. He is offering one free hot chocolate with each official map. Please do not cut your coupon from your map. He has a special way of marking your map that leaves it intact.
He brought in Gingerbread Man yogurt, Gummi trees and snowmen, Frosted Peppermint Brownie Bites and Holiday M&Ms for guests to use in building their desserts.
Arctic Ape recommends enjoying the lights during week nights between 5:30 and 11 PM. Visit the Fire Department on Midcrown, please donate to the boot, and pick up your map.
While touring the displays, please stay on the sidewalks or edge of the street, except where a photo spot is designated. Use your parking lights when stopping, and do not touch displays. There are many electrical lines and guide strings in these displays and no one wants anyone injured, during the holidays.
Windcrest Light Up
Arctic Ape’s Guide to “Safari Through Windcrest”
Windcrest Light Up is one of the reasons I moved here. This year, “Safari Through Windcrest” will draw lots of my animal friends to Windcrest. I have seen polar bears, lions, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, giraffes, monkeys, snowmen, Yeti, penguins, little white dogs with big noses, elephants, birds, and tigers. Try to count how many animals you see and which of them have relatives at the San Antonio Zoo or Primarily Primates. You must also watch closely for Santa. There is no missing his house as it always provides a magnificent display for the Christmas Season.
This is the 58th year of Windcrest Light Up, presented and managed by the Windcrest Women’s Club. Each year, these ladies perform stellar jobs, managing the show from selecting the theme to managing the awards dinner. The theme makes the displays vary so that visitors do not see the same thing every year. Windcrest Light Up is featured on local TV stations, national news programs and has been reported as having been seen from earth orbits. The official opening is 10th of December and most of the Safari continues through New Year’s Eve.
Fifty-eight years ago, the Windcrest founders decided that lighting the homes for Christmas was a great tradition and every new resident was given a starter strand of lights. In typical Texas manner, there soon developed a Windcrest style of decorating that was certainly not understated. (Windcrest Newsletter, Dec 2011)
Residents and organizations can register to be judged in one of 9 categories.
Before you start your Safari, please pick up one of the maps, with the winners clearly marked. They are available in front of the Fire Station or at one of the satellite locations around Windcrest. The Windcrest Fire Fighter’s Association accepts donations to help cover the costs of printing the maps, and to raise money for equipment and training. Please add generously to the Boot when you pick up your map.
I heard there are monkeys in Windcrest. Please drive carefully, so you do not accidently run over one of my cousins. They do not always wear reflective clothing and their movements are unpredictable.
I highly recommend avoiding the weekends, because Friday and Saturday become very busy as thousands of our friends and neighbors enjoy the lights.
Please do not speed in Windcrest (20 means 20 and stop means Stop). We do not want any accidents and you would rather keep your money for presents. If you stop to enjoy a display, or there is a long line of slow moving cars, please use your parking lights, to enhance the experience. Remember to turn headlights back on, before moving on.
Unless a clear photo spot is provided, please stay on the streets or sidewalks, and do not walk on grass or planting beds. Even though most of the lights and decorations are protected by GFI circuits, we do not want anyone to have an electrifying experience, during their visit to Windcrest.
After or during your Safari, you can warm up, at the Arctic Ape, watch the snow falling outside his window, gaze at the Northern Lights, and enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate, cappuccino, or coffee. Or… you can pretend you’re warming up with a nice warm brownie, with a yummy frozen yogurt, Custard, or Sorbet, and top it with hot fudge. Warm on the top and bottom makes the cool treat OK. I’m easy to find on the map, just look for the First-Place Business marker.
