By Dawn Krebs
dkrebs@hometownnewsol.com
ST. LUCIE COUNTY -- Even though the weather isn't quite cool enough for snow here on the Treasure Coast, residents still have a way to enjoy all the holiday lights that appear this time of year.
In Fort Pierce, down by the waterfront, the "Holiday Light Spectacular" began right after the city's tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 2.
More than 100,000 green and red lights adorn all the trees lining the waterfront in Marina Square, and the entire display is synchronized to holiday music that plays continuously.
Residents can come down every night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. to watch the musical display until Jan. 6. There is no cost for parking or the light show.
"The cost of the lights in Fort Pierce is sponsored by the city of Fort Pierce and private donations," said Anne Satterlee, Fort Pierce communications and marketing manager.
The light show is estimated to cost approximately $49,000. Donations have come from the Hibiscus Park Neighborhood Association and local residents and the city used monies from the Florida gaming fund to cover the rest of the cost.
In Port St. Lucie, the city also offers a free show, the "Winter Wonderland Light Show."
It takes place at the Port St. Lucie Community Center, located on 2195 S.E. Airoso Blvd. in Port St. Lucie across from city hall.
Thousands of lights make the many different displays. Residents can either drive past the lights in their cars or park and walk past them.
The display is open from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Jan. 2.
"Each window has three different strands of lights," said Larry Lankow, community center recreation supervisor. "We also have 17 pillars with probably 200-300 lights on those, so it's a lot of lights."
It takes city workers approximately 30 hours to hang all the lights and create the winter wonderland scene for residents.
As music plays, the various lights go on and off, giving residents a visual show to go with the musical performances.
"It's nice," he said. "It's something to add to the community center."