Festival of lights brighten holiday spirit throughout city

Lights! Camera! Christmas! Yes, it’s that time of the year and the night is ablaze with colorful lights and decorations to promote friendship and goodwill to all.

While Christmas Tree Circle has earned a reputation as a must-see destination for holiday-themed yard decorations, there are scattered houses throughout Chula Vista and surrounding environs that draw gasps from passers-by.

“That’s even more lavish than Christmas Tree Circle!” one admirer blurted out in jaw-dropping fashion after taking in the splendors of a brilliantly-lighted front-yard display along the 300 block of First Avenue in Chula Vista.

The house in question has been festively adorned for several years, and the decorations seem to become more numerous and intricate each year.

We counted about 100 passers-by during our hour-long visit recently between 7 and 8 p.m. Santa even made an impromptu visit in his sleigh (modified dune buggy), with Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer leading the way.

Another house a couple of blocks away on Hilltop Drive also grabbed our attention.

So, as Christmas approaches and the night chill settles, get out of the house and check out some fabulously decorated homes on the west side of Chula Vista — and the rest of the city and South Bay.

And taking a few timeless words from Norbert Stein, who has 101 years of memories …

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“Better days are coming,

So is Christmas and New Year, from your Poet of Chula Vista, happiness and good cheer.

Let all of us be brothers — lend each a helping hand, let all of us be thankful for the freedom of our land.”