ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Holiday Magic is lighting up the Lehigh Parkway, and we’re getting a first look at what’s in store this season.<\/p>\n
Organizers say this season will feature more than 260,000 lights.<\/p>\n
“This is the biggest season yet,” Lucinda Wright, Deputy for Allentown Department of Parks and Recreation says. “29th season. So, we’re really excited for an event that’s been going on for so many years.”<\/p>\n
The city says this may just be the brightest season yet, with brand new features and tech.<\/p>\n
“This year we’re excited for new things. We’re testing out some RGB lighting, so you’ll see some animated features as you go through,” Wright says.<\/p>\n
And a big part of the magic? The hundreds of sparkling trees.<\/p>\n
“They wrap every tree by hand and as of this afternoon we had over 240 wrapped trees,” Wright explains. “We will be wrapping more before opening night.”<\/p>\n
Dozens of light features and scenes turn the parkway into a winter wonderland. Behind it all is months of planning from the Parks and Rec maintenance team.<\/p>\n
Wright says, “In January they’ll start deciding where displays will go for the coming season and they actually start the boots on the groundwork as early as like August.”<\/p>\n
And for many, this display has become a holiday staple.<\/p>\n
“It’s a nostalgic experience in Allentown. Many families come through, and it becomes a generational celebration,” Wright added.<\/p>\n
If you don’t want to drive-through, “It also features Walking Mondays, which is another way and cool experience to view the lights,” Wright says. “It is a free option to anyone in the community or visiting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lights in the Parkway runs from Nov. 28, through Jan. 6.<\/p>\n