Avondale Estates is known for going all-out on its holiday celebrations, and Christmas is no different.
The city cancelled its Halloween events due to the threat of coronavirus, but its long-running Christmas Tour of Homes will still take place, albeit at a distance. Renamed the Tour of Lights, residents will be able to drive past and gawk at several “over-the-top” decorated homes, according to the event’s website.
This year will be the 28th anniversary of the holiday tour, which usually allows visitors to tour people’s homes to admire cheery decor. This year, the pandemic prompted the Avondale Community Club, the organization that puts on the event, to shift the tour outdoors to promote social distancing.
“I’m hoping we’ll have some light and some hope at the end of this sad year that we’ve had,” Margaret Lunsford, chairperson of the Avondale Community Club, said. “We’re lighting up the city, and we wanted to have something that would be good for COVID-19.”
It will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, and tickets cost $25 a vehicle. Lunsford said she can’t stop people from driving around to view the homes for free, but each ticket purchase will provide directions, a map and descriptions of the participating homes. In addition, the funds will go to the club’s lake house, an event venue that has been closed since March due to the pandemic.
Credit: Margaret Lunsford
Credit: Margaret Lunsford
Lunsford said 10 decorated homes will be featured on the tour, along with a lit-up Avondale Business District and a floating Christmas tree on Lake Avondale. Residents are also encouraged to hang up some lights and hide a sneaky Santa somewhere around their property, so kids can try to find them all.
“Usually the tour of homes is for adults and not many children go on it,” she said. “We’re figuring that this year will be more of a family event, so we thought about having Santas in the decorations so kids can find them. There are a lot of Santas out there.”
The event typically includes a Holiday Market as well, which is taking place virtually this year. More than 30 vendors are participating, and they’re accepting orders through Dec. 18. Constellation Energy sponsored the virtual market, paying each vendor’s $40 participation fee, Lunsford added.
Last week, Avondale Estates held a livestreamed Christmas tree lighting. It will be lit every night throughout December and is located at the intersection of South Avondale Road and Clarendon Avenue.
Tickets for the Tour of Lights are available at avondaletourofhomes.com/ticket-information. They’ll also be available for purchase at Garage Door Studio and Finders Keepers Consignments starting Monday.
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