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Wayne County Lightfest

This four-mile holiday display illuminates Hines Park when this annual festival returns to southeast Michigan Nov. 15-Dec. 31, 2012

Do you want the light spectacle of a Christmas parade without the frozen numb fingers and toes? Then take your family on a drive through the famed Wayne County Lightfest during the 2012 holiday season!

No inflatable decorations here – just 1 million holiday lights and 45 animated displays shining bright in Hines Park. View the 4 1/2 mile enchanted spectacle Motor City-style – right from your car. Listen to holiday music on the radio, sip on hot chocolate and drive through the illuminated display, which is the longest in the Midwest.

The festival, which welcomes 200,000 to 250,000 people each year, kicks off on Nov. 15, 2012 with a grand opening ceremony at 6 p.m., featuring fireworks, a DJ spinning Christmas tunes and refreshments. The grand opening event is open to the public.

There is a $5 fee per car. However, visit on Dec. 4, 11 and 18 – all Tuesdays – for "Toy Nights." On these evening, visitors are welcome to bring a new, unwrapped toy to give to less-fortunate kids. That replaces the $5 entry cost.

The holiday display is open until New Year's Eve. It starts at 7 p.m., though Hines Drive closes to traffic beginning at 5:45 p.m. nightly. Note: The display is closed on Christmas Day.

Visit Santa's Workshop – located at Warrendale Park – for a visit with Santa from Thanksgiving until Dec. 23. A giant mailbox, located outside of Santa's workshop, is where kids can drop off their letters to ensure the elves and Santa receive their holiday requests.

See the Metro Parent listing for more on the 2012 Wayne County Lightfest.

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