Economy Forces Changes to Hampden Light Show
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Grab the hot chocolate and take a stroll down 34th Street in Hamden: Welcome to Christmas. “I’ve never seen it so we’re like, ‘wow!’ exclaimed Havilah Davis of Northeast Baltimore.
From the slow moving Ferris wheel to the spinning bears, you may not notice a major change in the light show this year. But there is a method to the madness. “Everything I have is the miniature, small lights," said Sharon Burke. Burke is saving on her electric bill by skipping out twinklers, running lights and big bulbs that burn energy. After all, every bit counts when the lights are on for nearly 7 hours a day. “Maybe for the season I’m doing $40 for two months extra for my gas and electric."
But Bob Hosier outdid himself. From the candy cane fence to the gingerbread roof, his house is decked out with lights of all sorts. “No matter what it cost at the end of the season it’s not about cost about the holiday," said Hosier. So whether the light display is a careful calculation or an all out free-for-all, everyone agrees that the lights must stay on 34th Street, for free family fun and the priceless spirit of the holidays.
Folks do say donations for the Santa visit are down but the show must go on that is until the new year when the lights come down.
Copyright 2008 The E.W. Scripps Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.