The tradition started with just a string of lights and a bow for the mailbox.
Now, 62 years later, scores of Windcrest homes string thousands of lights on their homes and lawns to show off their Christmas spirit.
The theme of this year’s Windcrest Light Up is “Let Freedom Ring,” with residents decorating their homes in honor of the military.
Not all of the 83 homes registered for the annual decorating contest are strictly focused on the military, though. The contest has several categories, including Charlie Browniest, which is the best decorations on an entrance, door or mailbox; Clark Griswold, or over-the-top lights; creative and elegant; nostalgic; religious; and which block worked together to have the most jolly lights. Businesses, churches and schools could also enter in their own separate categories. Plus, homes don’t have to pay an entry fee to compete.
A map of the contest entries is available at Windcrest’s City Hall building, which also houses its volunteer fire station, 8601 Midcrown Drive, from 5 to 11 p.m. every night. Donations are optional.
On ExpressNews.com: For first time, Windcrest fire department adds paid firefighters
The fire department uses these maps as a fundraiser, having raised $52,000 last year, according to Liz Dick, a city spokeswoman. The city orders 20,000 maps each year and usually runs out.
Usually a panel of judges goes around to each house to determine the winners, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year the winners will be chosen by the public, whether they are a Windcrest resident or not. The map will have a paper ballot that can be turned into City Hall or guests can vote online via a QR code on the map. Deadline to vote both online and via the paper ballot is 5 p.m. Dec. 18.
Typically, the first night of Windcrest Light Up is a major community event, drawing hundreds of people who come to watch Santa arrive in a fire truck and flip the switch to turn on the lights of Windcrest’s official Christmas tree at City Hall.
Last year, there were vendor booths, while children swarmed Santa for photos, and hot cocoa and cookies were served before participants started exploring the 98 contest entries.
This year, though, those who came stayed in their vehicles for the tree lighting — Santa did arrive in a Windcrest fire truck as usual, but he stayed on the truck and lit the tree’s lights by remote — and there were no vendors or any treats. The drivers waved goodbye to Santa and then headed to the streets, cruising slowly up and down to view the lights. Bumper-to-bumper traffic dominated most of the streets.
One of the brightest homes belonged to John and Brenda Wilson, who have been putting up this year’s display at their home on Waycrest Drive since September.
John Wilson, who is a carpenter by day, used more than 100,000 LED lights to illuminate their home, including the handmade, wooden sleigh and train displayed on his lawn. And the Wilsons aren’t done with their display yet; they’ve added a patio where they plan to install “Santa’s Diner.”
The couple participates in the festivities every year, sometimes starting as early as June, but decided not to compete this year as they have won the grand prize a few times and have a “wall full of plaques.”
But they don’t do it for the prizes, they said. They do it for the smiles they see on the passers-by as kids and adults alike stare in awe at their brilliant light display that surely is visible from the space station.
Surprisingly, the couple’s light bill doesn’t go up too much, according to John Wilson. He said having LED lights helps, but he also has a bill plan that averages throughout the year.
Neighbors throughout Windcrest have put their own creative spin on decorating for the holidays.
On ExpressNews.com: Windcrest gets ready for 62nd annual Light Up event
Drivers can pass by a home with hundreds of snowmen on the 8600 block of Windway Drive, and a few houses have lights synced up to personal radio frequencies. Fans of Whataburger can see a large burger and fries along the 600 block of Balfour Drive. There’s a soldier saluting passers-by from the roof of a home on the 700 block of Moorside Drive. “Star Wars” fans can see Baby Yoda in a manger in the 600 block of Candleglo Drive.
“It’s for the kids,” Patty Morrison said. Her husband, David Morrison, puts out the decorations each year, dangling lights from a sprawling oak tree in their front yard in the 600 block of Fenwick Drive.
He takes off the week of Thanksgiving just to set up the lights at their home, which this year also included some green stars on the lawn twinkling in rhythm to Christmas music.
With the coronavirus affecting so many people, the lights “mean a lot more this year,” said Cpl. Mercedes Underwood of the Windcrest Police Department, inspiring “hope and happiness” for the season.
Liz Hardaway is a staff writer covering San Antonio government and politics. To read more from Liz, become a subscriber. liz.hardaway@hearst.com | Twitter: @liz_hardaway
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December 08, 2020 at 05:00PM
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Holiday displays dazzle the eye and lift spirits as Windcrest Light Up celebrates 62 years on San Antonio’s Northeast Side - San Antonio Express-News
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