Nights of Lights comes to a close

The City of St. Augustine got a little darker for Historic City News readers last Monday night as the 20th season of Nights of Lights drew to a close. The annual winter celebration of light started its 10-week long run on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and ended on Sunday, February 2.

As it has been since the beginning of the program, the city is responsible for the installation and maintenance of lighting displays on over 100 public sites, but the enormous impact of the Nights of Lights is dependent on the participation of private property owners who willingly and at their own expense participate in the program both during the season and then turning the lights off when the season concludes.

Historic Tours of America, operators of the Green Trolley, announced that, together with media partners Mint Magazine and WSOS radio; they were able to present winners in the First Annual Holiday Light Display Contest “Visitor Choice Awards” with a media package worth $1,750 and $1,000 in cash. Second Place won $1,000 media package and $750 cash. Third place $600 media package and $500 cash.

“Congratulations to our grand prize winning businesses; Casablanca Inn was the 1st Place winner; Peace and Plenty Bed And Breakfast Inn won Second Place and The Raintree Restaurant won Third Place,” General Manager David Chatterton told Historic City News.

According to city ordinances, exterior display of holiday lights within historic districts is allowed only during the Nights of Lights.

So while the city may seem a little darker now, Nights of Lights will light-up again on Saturday, November 22 for the 21st season.