Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Lights in Hidalgo, Texas

We absolutely love visiting the city of Hidalgo during December.  It is their Festival of Lights and it is a really BIG deal.  The city has over three million lights and 900 displays along with a small carnival and live entertainment.  City personnel from Hidalgo actually design and erect the displays and more displays are added each year.  This year the theme for the Festival is "A Tropical Christmas" 

A Tropical Christmas
Winter Ranch Friends on the Tram
Today we journeyed to Hidalgo via our park bus along with 40 other Winter Ranch and Trophy Gardens residents.  Once there, we bought tickets for the train which is a tram ride through the city.  There wasn't any entertainment tonight because we are after Christmas but we all enjoyed the lights.
Christmas Tree in the Square
One of many many displays
Closeup of the Ayala Home



Ramon Ayala's home is across the street from the City Hall Plaza and it is really decked out.  If you've seen Chevy Chase movie "Christmas Vacation" then you would have an idea of what his home looks like.  Of course, his is a bit more elegant.  Ramon Ayala is a  four-time grammy award-winning singer.  We've decided that we have to buy one of his CD's because we are always hearing how good he is.  He also seems to be a very generous individual.  Last week they celebrated the Christmas Posada in Hildalgo.  Familieis with children under 12 lined up outside of Mr. Ayala's home where they received a ticket for a gift.  They told us that 10,000 gifts were handed out.  Next year we may try to visit on the day of the Posada although we have heard from friends that it is a real zoo on that day!

 

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