Guide To The Wayne County Lightfest
Get a jump on the holiday season when the drive from Hines Drive at Merriman Road in Westland to Warren Avenue near Telegraph in Dearborn Heights is transformed into a winter wonderland for the Wayne County Lightfest.
More lights than you can shake a stick at will transform the area into a world of rainbows, candy canes and snowflakes. With food concession stands, photos with Santa Claus, a kick-off party, plus run/walk and bike preview events, this holiday attraction has a little something for everyone.
The route is open 7 to 10 p.m. every day, except Christmas, from Nov. 18 until Dec. 31. The cost is $5 per car.
Lightfest 8K Fun Run/Walk
Starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, the event will start at the entrance to the Lightfest, at Merriman Rd and Hines Drive, between Ann Arbor Trail and Warren Avenue in Westland, 2 ½ miles south of I-96. Hines Drive will be closed to non-race traffic. Check in begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 6:45 p.m. Registration fees are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event. All proceeds benefit Wayne County Parks.
The first 1,000 to register receives a long sleeve T-shirt and post-race meal.
Parking: Park at the start area at Merriman Hollow and take the shuttle bus back to your car after the event. Parks staff will direct you where to park your car.
You can also have family or friends drop you off at the start area. They can park at the finish and cheer you on your arrival. From Merriman Hollow Area, turn right on Merriman Road, turn left on Warren, and follow Warren past Telegraph and turn left into Warrendale Park. REMEMBER: Parking is limited at Warrendale.
Note: Because of construction, no shuttle buses will be running from Warrendale to the event start area before the area.
For more information, call 734-261-1990 or visit www.waynecountyparks.org
Bike Through The Lights
Due to public demand, bike riders will have the opportunity to ride through the lights before the event is officially open to the public, so hop on your pedalsa nd head down. Check in begins at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 16 and ends at 6:45 p.m. The event starts at 7 p.m.
The 16K event is called a (point to point) event, so all bike riders must be able to make it to the Warrendale picnic area and back. And there are a couple of rules every participant must abide by:
All bikes must have a light, due to the two-way traffic, and all participants must wear a helmet
There will be a contest for the most holiday decorated bike during the event and a grand prize will be awarded.
Registration fees are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event; cost is $12 for high school participants and younger. All proceeds benefit Friends of Wayne County Parks.
-The first 300 participants to register will receive a long sleeve T-shirt and a post-race meal.
For more information, call 734-261-1990 or visit www.waynecountyparks.org.
Opening Night
At 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 17, the opening night celebration will feature free refreshments, live entertainment, a fireworks show, and the official "Lights On" ceremony.
