If you love Christmas lights, this is a DFW traffic jam you don’t want to miss

In 1976 the late Robert Findlay and his wife, Carole, thought putting up some Christmas decorations outside their house might be a fun way to call attention to their new development on the fringe of northwest Arlington, a neighborhood that was once little more than a swamp.

Now, 44 years later, the neighborhood, known as Interlochen, is renowned as one of the most beautiful drive-through neighborhood Christmas scenes in the country. Carole still lives there and decorates annually, as do eight other original families.

“Why do we do it? Why do we risk life and limb to put on a free Christmas lights show in order to get stuck in traffic and pay an outrageous electric bill at the end of the month?” said Ralph Sobel, president of the Lake Interlochen Homeowners Association for 10 years.

“Well, maybe it’s just because it is so much fun? Maybe it is the smiles and the thank-yous every night from thousands of children of all ages? Maybe it is also just being a small part of one of the nicest volunteer community events anywhere in this great country.”

This year’s Interlochen nightly display begins on Friday, Dec. 13 and is expected to once again draw around 100,000 visitors. It will feature around 200 homeowners with a festive display of holiday-themed lights and decorations covering a route of almost two miles. Along with driving through, visitors can park and walk through the neighborhood, as long as their vehicle is safely out of the way of traffic.

As always, admission is free.

Arlington Police will control traffic each night Dec. 13-25 from 7-11 p.m.

The Interlochen Lighting Awards will be presented on Dec. 15. The list of categories includes:

▪ Griswold Award: Named in honor of Chevy Chase’s character in the “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” movie, given to the most over-the-top decorations.

▪ Findlay Award: Named in honor of the founder of the Interlochen event, reserved to be awarded to a resident(s) who have decorated more than 30 years.

▪ Porter Award: Named after the first Interlochen HOA President, Vernon Porter. It is awarded to the best lakeside decorating.

▪ Most Artistic (2)

▪ Best Theme (2)

▪ Santa’s Choice

▪ People’s Choice

And you never know what new display will pop up each year.

“I have heard rumors about a Flying Saucer Santa that will be making its debut this year,” Sobel said.

Interlochen neighborhood entrance and exit

▪ Enter the Interlochen neighborhood from Westwood Drive at Randol Mill Road. From westbound I-30, take the Fielder Road exit and go south to Randol Mill Road. Turn right on Randol Mill Road and follow it to Westwood Drive.

▪ From eastbound I-30, take the Eastchase Parkway exit, turn east on Meadowbrook Boulevard to Randol Mill Road, then right on Randol Mill Road to Westwood Drive.

▪ All other streets to the Interlochen neighborhood are closed. Left turns are prohibited from northbound Bowen at Westwood and northbound Oakwood at Randol Mill. All traffic will be forced to turn southbound on Crowley Road.

▪ Tour buses and limousines will not be allowed on Porto Bello Court.

“The Interlochen traffic plan is for all traffic to enter the neighborhood from Westwood Drive at Randol Mill Road. The left lane should always be left open for emergency vehicles,” Arlington Police Sergeant Michael Chitty said. “This is in effect to ensure that all visitors have a great experience and enjoy the lights, while having a good flow and preventing congestion due to large volumes of people.”

Important Safety Tips

▪ Traffic must always keep right, leaving the left lane open for emergency vehicles and Interlochen homeowners.

▪ Adults and children must wear their seat belts and stay in child safety seats.

▪ Visit during the week in order to have a better experience. Weekends are the highest traffic-volume days.

▪ Pack a little patience. Traveling through the area could be slow.

▪ Pedestrian traffic is permitted. Roller skating in the street is prohibited by the Arlington Municipal Code. No solicitation or sales by any vendors or group will be allowed from any public roadway or public rights-of-way.

GIANT CHRISTMAS TREE/PARADE

Arlington is also home to one of the tallest Christmas trees in the state as a new 65-foot artificial tree was recently installed near the Levitt Pavilion in Founders Plaza ahead of the popular Arlington Holiday Lights Parade. The parade, live music, pictures with Santa and other free festivities begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 in downtown Arlington.

The new tree, which was lit for the season on Dec. 2, features assorted styles of traditional red and silver ornaments, thousands of lights, and a 7-foot tall lighted star tree topper. The official tree lighting ceremony will follow the end of the Arlington Holiday Lights Parade at around 7 p.m. Dec. 14.

“We hope that seeing the Christmas tree helps people kick off the Christmas season in their hearts,” said Elle Stubbs, Arlington Christmas Parade Inc. board member and Arlington Parade of Lights director. “With the location in downtown, our hope is that the community and our visitors will feel welcomed to stop at Founders Plaza and get a good picture for their memory book.”

Other parade activities include music from the Arlington High School Jazz Band, Sam Houston High School Orchestra and the Sam Houston High School Mariachis at Levitt Pavilion, children’s games, and a free screening of Disney’s “The Santa Clause” at 7:30 p.m.

This story was originally published December 9, 2019 at 6:00 AM.