Parkside Christmas Owners Retire After 16 Years of Holiday Cheer
Table of Contents
- Parkside Christmas Owners Retire After 16 Years of Holiday Cheer
- Parkside Neighborhood Dazzles with Annual Christmas Display
- Parkside Neighborhood Dazzles with Annual Christmas Display
- Lawrence Arts Center Joins Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Digital Access Program
- Celebration Cabaret to Honor Late Local Theatre Performer Louise ImMasche and Support Emerging Artists
After 16 years bringing cheer to Lawrence, the synchronized holiday display known as Parkside Christmas will not return.
Married couple MaryAnn and Gary martin had curated the light show in front of their home, 1132 Parkside Circle. Every evening from Thanksgiving into the new year, visitors where welcome to park across the street, turn their car radios to a short-range FM station, and watch as lights danced through a 20-foot-tall “megatree,” a host of snowmen and more.
“in 2008 there wasn’t anything like it in Lawrence, so we thought we’d bring it to our hometown as our Christmas gift to the community,” Gary said via email.
A programmer by trade, Gary handmade most Parkside Christmas fixtures. The “megaflake” above the garage, the snowmen, and the chorus line of poles and arches were all created in his shop. He said he usually designed shows running at one-eighth the normal speed, meticulously ensuring the effects matched the music as precisely as possible.
“Many peopel think we just plug the music in and it’s all automatic,” he said. “The truth is so far from that it’s ridiculous.”
Gary, 62, said the display brought almost two decades of fond memories. But the depth of his and MaryAnn’s investment sunk in as they began aging and operations became more expensive, and when they realized they were using most of their vacation time to set up the display. They decided it was time for a “changing of the guard,” Gary said.
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Nestled in their home on festive evenings, the Martins became quickly accustomed to parkside Christmas’ flashing lights. Gary said hanging heavy drapes over windows mitigated any visual nuisance indoors.
More concerning were the crowds, Gary said, and their impact on the neighborhood. When temperatures were warm, people sometimes wanted to blast music with their car windows rolled down. Occasionally, people in tour buses, limos, and one time a snow plow driver taking a break i
Parkside Neighborhood Dazzles with Annual Christmas Display
By Emily Bradbury
LAWRENCE, KS – The Parkside neighborhood is once again aglow with its annual Christmas display, drawing visitors from across Lawrence and beyond. For over two decades, residents of Parkside have transformed their streets into a winter wonderland, complete with elaborate light displays, festive decorations, and a heartwarming sense of community spirit.
This year’s display, which officially opened on Friday, Dec. 6, features a dazzling array of lights, inflatable characters, and meticulously decorated homes. Many residents go all out, synchronizing their lights to music, creating immersive scenes, and offering treats to passersby.
“It’s just a really special time of year,” says resident Sarah Miller, who has been participating in the display for 15 years. “Everyone works together to make it magical for the kids and for anyone who needs a little bit of Christmas cheer.”
The Parkside Christmas display has become a beloved tradition for many families. Visitors can stroll or drive through the neighborhood, admiring the creativity and effort put into each display. The event is free and open to the public, although donations are accepted to support local charities.
“We love coming here every year,” says Lawrence resident David Chen, who visited with his family on Saturday night. “It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit, and the kids absolutely love it.”
The display runs nightly from 6 to 10 p.m.through December 31. Organizers encourage visitors to be respectful of residents and to drive slowly and carefully through the neighborhood.
For more details, visit the Parkside Christmas Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/parksidechristmasdisplay/.
Parkside Neighborhood Dazzles with Annual Christmas Display
By Shawn Linenberger
The Parkside neighborhood in Lawrence is once again aglow with its annual Christmas display, drawing visitors from across the city and beyond. For over two decades, residents have transformed their neighborhood into a winter wonderland, complete with elaborate light displays, themed yards, and a festive spirit that’s hard to beat.
This year’s display, which officially opened on Friday, Dec. 6, features a variety of scenes, from classic Christmas characters to whimsical creations. Many residents coordinate their displays, creating a seamless flow of lights and decorations throughout the neighborhood.
“it’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it to see the joy it brings to people,” said longtime Parkside resident and display organizer, Mary Smith. “We start planning in the summer, and then it’s all hands on deck in November to get everything set up.”
The display isn’t just about the lights,though. Many residents offer treats like hot cocoa and cookies to visitors, and some even dress up in Christmas costumes. It’s a true community effort, and that’s what makes it so special.
“It’s a great way to connect with our neighbors and spread some Christmas cheer,” Smith added. “We love seeing families walking around, taking pictures, and enjoying the display together.”
The Parkside Christmas display is located near 10th and Massachusetts streets.It’s free to visit and open nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. through December 31st. Organizers encourage visitors to park outside the neighborhood and walk in to avoid congestion.
Donations are accepted to help cover the cost of electricity and future displays.This year, proceeds will benefit the Douglas County Food Bank.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. check out her staff bio here.
Lawrence Arts Center Joins Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Digital Access Program
As the Lawrence Arts Center joins the ranks of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ program participants, the association looks toward a new era of digital accessibility and usability meant to increase the community’s access to the arts.
Celebration Cabaret to Honor Late Local Theatre Performer Louise ImMasche and Support Emerging Artists
A Celebration Tour Cabaret will be held to honor the life and legacy of Louise immasche, a cherished figure in the Lawrence, Kansas theatre community who passed away in October. The event, hosted by Theatre Lawrence, aims to establish a fund dedicated to supporting aspiring artists in the area.
Remembering Louise ImMasche
Louise ImMasche was a well-known and beloved performer in Lawrence, contributing significantly to the local arts scene. Details regarding her life and career can be found through Theatre Lawrence. Her passing was deeply felt by the community, prompting the creation of this event to both celebrate her contributions and ensure her spirit of artistic support continues.
The Celebration tour cabaret
The cabaret will feature performances and tributes celebrating ImMasche’s work and impact. It will serve as a fundraiser to create a dedicated fund at Theatre Lawrence. This fund will provide financial assistance and resources to emerging artists pursuing their passions in the performing arts.
According to the Lawrence Kansas Times, the event is open to the public and invites the community to participate in honoring ImMasche and supporting the future of local theatre.
Supporting Emerging Artists
The establishment of this fund reflects ImMasche’s commitment to fostering artistic talent. By providing support to striving artists, Theatre lawrence hopes to empower the next generation of performers and creatives in the Lawrence area. Details regarding how to contribute to the fund, beyond attending the cabaret, will likely be available through Theatre Lawrence’s website.
Key Takeaways:
* A Celebration Tour Cabaret is being held to honor Louise ImMasche, a beloved local theatre performer.
* The event will raise funds to establish a fund at Theatre Lawrence to support aspiring artists.
* The cabaret is open to the public and offers a chance to celebrate ImMasche’s legacy and contribute to the local arts community.
This event promises to be a moving tribute to a valued member of the Lawrence arts community and a significant step towards nurturing the talents of future generations. Further details regarding the date, time, and location of the cabaret can be found on the Theatre Lawrence website.