Christmas on Park Kicks Off Downtown Holiday Celebration
Jim Carchidi
Weekend shoppers and diners visiting downtown Winter Park got their first glimpse of new holiday decor by the Park Avenue District (PAD). The seasonal scenery, unveiled on Thursday, Nov. 14, is a fresh take on the city’s traditional decorations and focuses on local history and small-town charm.
Christmas on Park represents five-months of planning and development, and a funding partnership that combines the city’s previous decoration budget of $96,000 with an additional investment that matched PAD fundraising efforts up to $100,000. Aside from refreshing the local celebration, the new look is meant to bring attention to the district and its business.
“We’re hoping this year will spark new interest, and that Winter Park could be one of the top holiday destinations,” said PAD Design Committee Chair, Tracy Brand-Liffey. PAD was able to work through the logistical details of the redesign in a relatively short time, but Brand-Liffey said any ideas that couldn’t be achieved in time for this season are already on the table for next year. “The possibilities are endless, but we’re really proud of what we were able to accomplish this year.”
The official lighting of the new Christmas tree will happen during the Winter Park Chamber’s Winter on the Avenue event on December 6, but the rest of the display is illuminated nightly. A holiday carousel will be added by City Hall on the day after Thanksgiving and all of the decor will remain in place until January 1.
See the slideshow for scenes and details from the new Christmas on Park displays, and click here for a list of upcoming holiday events in Winter Park.
The new holiday features begin with wreaths, hung along the avenue, that reference Winter Park’s history and charm.Temple oranges represent historic ties to the citrus industry and white magnolias and berries, “carry an element of sophistication,” said PAD Executive Director, Carina Sexton.A larger wreath hangs on City Hall.The decorative elements on the wreaths are also present on the new Christmas tree.The official tree lighting will happen on December 6 during the Winter on the Avenue event, presented by Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.The menorah in Central Park has returned and is one of the many lighted elements along the avenue.Another new feature to this year’s celebration is a “cathedral of lights” that is attracting attention even during daylight hours.Park Avenue shops are also in the holiday spirit and featuring their seasonal window displays.The district comes to life at night with new and returning light displays throughout Central Park and along Park Avenue.The garden paths of Central Park stand out against the sunset. Shoppers stroll amid the small-town holiday charm.The cathedral of lights quickly becomes the focal point for evening visitors.Guests line up for selfies and family photos outside and inside the illuminated tunnel.The attraction is rented from local holiday display company, Johannessen Lights.The candles of the seven-branched kinara also shine throughout the night.The shiny visuals extend into the tree canopy with an array of lighted mesh globe ornaments that are barely visible during the day.There are 800 globes hanging along the avenue and throughout Central Park. The ornaments are a permanent part of the district’s collection and will be reused in the coming years.The greenspace next to City Hall also comes to life with lights and will house a carousel that will be set up on November 29.And visitors can take advantage of the ultimate holiday gift – free parking – in an extra parking lot, located at the corner of E. New England and S. Knowles avenues.
