Dismantling the Festival of Lights

It is true, all good things must come to an end.  The Festival of Lights ended the season on 12/31/2014 and a few days later the volunteers began the dismantling process.

Red Pole Tree
lights on the ground

The biggest and first pole tree we built.
27+ feet with many strands of lights

We remained at the park (Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center Park) a few extra days to give the January 3rd Campfire Program.  As with most of our "Florida History in Music" programs, it was well received.  About 50 people joined us for a presentation about White Springs and surrounding areas in song and story.  And, as usual, we received many warm and honest comments of "thank you" along with smiles and complements.

As we had a few uncommitted days it seemed reasonable to dismantle and pack the multiple pole trees which we constructed in November.

Bill wrapping lights for storage

Of course when you deal with pole trees that are 18', 22', and 27' tall you don't use a ladder.  You use a lift and this is a sweet machine for the job.  Originally I was the lift operator and Bill was the ground crew, Bill does not like heights. But later Bill wanted to try the lift and I became the ground crew.

The Electric Lift
which is perfect for high jobs

And,  Bill got into the act when we had to hang the huge green spheres, see below, as they were a little heavy and awkward to handle alone.  To hang the lights we both went up in the lift, hung the lights, and strung power cords up the trunk and along the branches.  Later when it was time to remove them, Bill was the lift operator and I served as ground crew.  Removing decorations is easy.

We hung the Green Globes
in November and removed them in January

So the decorations will be stored away until the 2015 "Festival of Lights".  Come September, volunteer crews will begin the decoration process for the December 2015 show.

Red Tree
Lights and Stakes
Packed in the box for next year