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Date: 12/18/2023
EASTHAMPTON — Looking to drive around the city and look at the holiday lights? Not sure where to go? Don’t worry! There’s a Facebook group for that.
Started in 2022, the Easthampton Holiday Lights group features a running list and interactive map of houses and businesses that are decorated for the holiday season.
“It’s a community project in that anyone can share a photo and address of a house or Easthampton landmark and I’ll add it to the Google map,” explained Ed Bloniarz, the group’s administrator. “We organized a similar map in October for a scarecrow contest and a few people had expressed interest in seeing it done for Christmas decorations. “
Group members add houses and businesses as they see them decorated, but the desire to be seen also brings more excitement to those decorating their properties.
“We’ve seen friendly neighborhood competitions popping up here and there,” said Bloniarz. “Where I live it seems there are more and more houses that are getting into it.”
There are a few spots that have become favorites among the city’s residents. There is a towering lit tree at 222 Park St. and Stu the Santa Skeleton at 255 Park St. At 252 Main St. is a three-story indoor tree and a dancing light show at 4 William St.
A drive around the city to the residences and businesses lit up is also a nostalgic walk down memory lane to when it was a more common activity during the holiday season. Easthampton embraces this holiday spirit with the lights that decorate the rotary and Cottage Street.
“With those efforts and, of course, the star atop Mt. Tom and the tree on the pond, we feel Easthampton continues to show that it’s become a destination city to be proud of. Hop in the car and drive around — there’s lots to see,” said Bloniarz.
For more information, visit the 2023 Easthampton Holiday Lights group on Facebook.