Lights on the Lake is an Onondaga Lake Park tradition that is kicking off its 29th consecutive year. At the park in Liverpool, massive holiday displays and lights line up next to the two mile long street to produce a drive-thru show. Last night, there was a dog walking event for residents to walk up the path, and large crowds of residents came out in the freezing cold for the experience.
The tradition has long signified that the holiday season is upon us. Even though Thanksgiving is a week away, Central New Yorkers are ready for Christmas. Local resident Rick Streeter loves this time of the year in Central New York, and comes to see the Lights on the Lake every year as his own personal holiday tradition.
“It’s an amazing time of the year, obviously with the first snowfall today that actually stuck, and you’re able to just turn all the lights on and everyone’s in the festive mood already. We have about five weeks until Christmas here and we’re already ready for it,” Streeter said.
Galaxy Events has helped to organize the event for the last 10 years. Carrie Wojtaszek, Chief Operating Officer of Galaxy Events, says that she used to come here as a kid and now brings her kids here. She loves that this event is such a great way to attract people from all over Central New York and bring everyone together as a community.
“We love partnering with Onondaga County Parks. They do phenomenal festivals and we’re happy to be a partner to help them really promote the festivals and invite the public to something that is so unique to Central New York… It’s just a great tradition that brings families together,” Wojtaszek said.
Admission is $10 per car from Monday through Thursday, and $20 from Friday to Sunday. Local resident David Piccolo was at the dog walking event last night and it was his first time at Lights on the Lake. He says not to be deterred by the admission price, because it is absolutely worth it.
“It was bigger and better than I would’ve thought it could possibly be. I know they charge to get in here but it’s very well worth it for the cars because it’s just endless. And we didn’t even walk all the way to the end,” Piccolo said.
The lights will be up until January 6th and are open nightly from 5 to 10 pm. For more information about Lights on the Lake, visit www.lightsonthelake.com.
