15th season of Nights of Lights a big success

The 15th season of the Nights of Lights, St. Augustine’s winter celebration of light, concludes on Saturday, January 31st. By all accounts it was a successful season according to an announcement received by Historic City News this afternoon.

“Judging by the success of the community’s many holiday events and the comments received by visitors, the Nights of Lights has truly become a grand event for St. Augustine,” said Paul Williamson, Public Affairs Director for the City of St. Augustine. “Of course, much of the credit for the program’s success goes to the business and home owners throughout the community who participate at their own expense each year.”

As it has been since the beginning of the program, the City of St. Augustine is responsible for the installation and maintenance of the displays on over 100 public sites. Funding for the program comes from both the city and a grant from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. The true impact of the overall effect is in large part due to the participation of private property owners who willingly participate in the program.

According to City ordinances, exterior display of holiday lights within historic districts is allowed only during the Nights of Lights which runs annually from the Saturday before Thanksgiving through the last day of January.

“Just as we need the community to support the program by participating during the Nights of Lights, we now need them to participate by turning their lights off,” said Williamson. “Having the city sparkle for just the 10 weeks during the Nights of Lights is what makes the Nights of Lights special.”

The 16th season of the Nights of Lights will begin on Saturday, November 21, 2009.