SAT 12/18: Xmas Lights of Somerville

Hey, it's not too late to make something for Saturday's pan-holiday gift swap...

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4:30pm to 9:15pm
Annual Illuminations Tour
at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
Tickets: $10 / $5 -- for 12 and under & 60 and over

Tickets are sold at Blue Cloud Gallery (713 Broadway, Ball Sq).

Bus/trolleys depart at:
4:30pm, 5pm, 5:45pm, 6:15pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8:15pm, 8:45pm, 9:15pm

Let speak in praise of the my neighbor's excessive Xmas lights.

Last year, the City of Boston decorated their big tree from Nova Scotia with energy-efficient bulbs. Even the Citgo Sign was switched to LED's. They're both still beautiful sights, but neither is as brilliant as before.

It may be a waste of energy, but I think it's okay to conserve throughout the year to splurge on kitcshy holiday fun.

My 2009 ride was 45 minutes of old-timey holiday fun. Tom Champion regaled us with Somerville history and factoids while Jimmy DelPonte led the group in seasonal tunes like "Rudolph...", "Jingle Bells", etc.

So kudos to the citizens who let their power meters spin like a 45 record.

I asked around, and most of the tours were sold out as of Wednesday with a few more tix available for 9:15pm. If you can't get 'em on Friday, you could always show up and hope for stand-by while you have a hot cocoa.

A few hearty souls will meet at City Hall around 6:50pm and do the rather hilly route on bicycles (no charge).

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People who want to go around at their own pace can buy a $3 tour map on Saturday night at City Hall or -- starting on MON 12/20 -- at Blue Cloud and Magpie (Davis Sq).

All the proceeds go to the Somerville Arts Council, which does a lot of cool stuff all year round like ArtBeat and wacky summer activities in Union Square.

It was difficult to get clear photos due to the plastic covering that's protecting you from the wind, but...