Christmas Glows

Grandpas often get a bad rap for being slow-witted, old-fashioned, storytelling slipper-wearers, but really, these guys can be quite nimble. How else could they hang three million twinkling holiday lights in Rock Spring Park (2100 College Avenue, Alton, Illinois; 800-258-6645 or www.visitalton.com)? And this isn't a one-time occurrence — these Illinois grandpas make this Christmas Wonderland happen every year! To check out the work of some handy paw-paws and be filled from the outside in with the glow of the season, dim your headlights and drive through the expansive display from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Sunday, December 27. If you would like to hearken back to the days of great-great-grandpas, you can hop aboard a carriage and ride through the lights on Saturday and Sunday nights (first-come, first-served), plus you can pet a zebu (small cow), goats and a llama at the petting zoo in the park — sounds like a photo op for next year's card! Cars and small vans pay $7 to check out the Christmasy scene, and some feed for the furry friends costs 50 cents.
Dec. 22-27, 2009