25 December 2014 / leggypeggy

Wishing everyone the happiest of holidays

Branson, Christmas, decorations, Missouri, Oklahoma, Rhema, Silver Dollar City

A small part of Canberra’s world record breaking LED light display in support of SIDS and Kids

Whatever your religion or non-religion, it’s Christmas or Christmas Eve the world over and I want to wish everyone the happiest of holiday seasons.

Christmas is an important holiday in Australia, along with many other holidays that represent diverse religions or no religion at all.

Unlike most of the heavily populated parts of the world, Christmas hits Australia during summer. The weather is warm and kids are out of school for six or seven weeks. We’re more likely to be wearing shorts or bathers (swimsuits), and equally likely to be munching on prawns (shrimp) rather than turkey or ham and traditional sides.

This year I spent the first three weeks of December in the USA. Poor John was thrilled to be able to stay home. Airfares cost a bomb, so he was able to read a bazillion books, watch his beloved cricket matches and walk the not-quite-so-beloved-by-him dog. I, of course, adore the dog.

Meanwhile, I worked my way (by road) north from Dallas, with stops in Tulsa, Kansas City, Omaha, central Nebraska, Branson Missouri and St Louis.

Entrance to Canberra's Christmas light show

Santa at Canberra's Christmas light show

I saw Christmas decorations everywhere and thought I’d share a few of the best. Although the photos never quite capture the full impact of the displays.

First off was Canberra (the night before I flew to the USA) with the largest LED light display ever shown in the world. Poor John insisted that I go and I was glad he did.

The Richards family has organised this light show for many years, and this year it morphed into an even larger event—garnering a new Guinness world record and lots of international attention. Almost everyone I met in the USA had seen it reported on television. The display, which supports SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), closes on New Year’s Eve.

Rhema Christmas light display

My next Christmas light overload occurred in Tulsa Oklahoma. My sister, Susan, is a long-time resident in Tulsa and she was keen to show me the display on the grounds of the Rhema Bible Church.

This show started in 1982 and since then the number of lights has grown from 60,000 to more than two million. Admission is free. We went early and got a decent parking place. And we couldn’t leave until Susan ordered a swag of funnel cakes.

This doughy and sugary sweet wasn’t around when I left the USA, and I failed to get a pic. No worries. If you are interested, google it.

A couple of days later, my last light show was at Silver Dollar City near Branson. To be fair, I should give that venue its own post, so stay tuned for more photos. Decorations festooned trees and buildings, and a range of performances and a parade captivated young and old.

For now I’ll wish everyone very happy holidays and go help make our seafood dinner.