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Brighten up the longest nights of the year

12/24/2009 01:00 AM EST

By Bryan Rourke

Journal Staff Writer

Christmas lights blaze away at the home of Clotilde Vasquez , 539 Potters Ave., Providence.


The Providence Journal / Kris Craig

Add some electricity to your Christmas celebration. Look at lights —lots of them.

Here are some suggestions.

One of the most extensive outdoor light exhibits in the area is at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro. It’s holding its 56th annual “Christmas Festival of Lights.”

The festival features 450,000 lights spread over 10 acres of the 75-acre site. You’ll see illuminated angels and doves, bells and trees, and lots of people. About 500,000 people visit the shrine during its five-week run, which continues through Jan. 3. In addition to all the lights, the festival involves nightly prayers, daily services and 70 Christmas concerts.

“The Christmas Festival of Lights” runs through Jan. 3, 5 to 9 p.m., at La Salette, 947 Park St. (Route 118), Attleboro. Admission and parking are free. For more information about concerts, services and ceremonies, visit lasalette-shrine.org or call (508) 222-5410.

Edaville USA in Carver, Mass., is also hosting a “Christmas Festival of Lights.” The organization reports its festival involves seven million lights. The facility features a two-mile train ride through a cranberry plantation, outdoor amusement rides and an indoor playhouse.

Edaville is closed on Christmas, but its festival continues through Jan. 3. It’s open weekdays, 4 to 9 p.m., and weekends, 2 to 9 p.m. Admission is $18, free for those younger than 2. Edaville is on Route 58 in Carver, Mass., three miles from exit 2 of Route 495.

There are also lots of residential properties elaborately lit for the season. Perhaps there’s one in your neighborhood. If not, take drive by one of these:

Kim and Frank Picozzi, of 75 Gristmill Rd., Warwick, have decorated their house with 43,000 lights. And these lights turn on and off in sync with 18 recorded Christmas songs that play on outdoor speakers. The Picozzis say their display will run through New Year’s Eve, lit Mondays through Thursdays, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For more, visit picozzichristmas.com.

Clotilde Vasquez, of 539 Potters Ave., Providence, has festooned the front of her house with white lights; but there are some green ones, too, as well a couple of illuminated palm trees . This might seem unusual, but Christ was born in the Mideast, so maybe palm trees make some sense, after all.

brourke@projo.com

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