Outdoor holiday lights: Yesterday and today

At two years old, my son began calling it the Christmas Tree House. His first trip was in 1989 and that is what stuck with our family all these years. Throughout the 1990's, my son and my daughter traveled there every year for Christmas and just could not stop staring; could not be pulled away regardless of the weather. Some called it Santa's house, others, the Christmas House. However, it was the most beautiful holiday home in Downers Grove created by Diane and Rion Goyette. Both of my children are 30 +years of age and will never forget. Sometimes, we drive by hoping to see the magic; always wishing nothing but the best for the family that still lives there.

You had to wait…in a mile- long car line on Christmas Eve to see the famous house in the village. Sometimes buses traveling too, snarling traffic. We moved to Downers Grove only six blocks away in 1988 and I still live in the same home; just like the Goyettes. Many neighbors of the Goyette family also decorated to excess so you were entertained while you moved pleasantly through the neighborhood. After taking other family and friends to visit from various cities and suburbs, they traveled miles to see it every year; building a new Christmas tradition. Hundreds of families did the same.

The Goyette house at 1220 67th St. had a booth that held Santa and Mrs. Claus. The house was highlighted with a beautiful train village in the garage and several booths of animated scenes. My son was glued to the plexi glass that protected the train. Big showcases with dozens of animated characters had carpeted the yard. The crew members would begin decorating in October from what others have said. The Goyette’s would end up with an electric bill sometimes totaling over 3 thousand dollars with over 5,000 lights. Music and lights were set up by using computers which was not common in the 1990's. Sources have said they decorated until 2002 but because of health issues, they could no longer continue. You can click on the video link to see the house. The Goyette's had won several awards for the house's beauty, creativity and establishing a Christmas tradition for so many to cherish.

In Downers Grove, the same neighborhood as the Goyette's, many were influenced by them and have created wondrous displays today. Only a few blocks at 68th and Springside, two neighbors got together; one house is decorated with colored lights that completely fill the roof. Two beautiful houses also sit side by side and are worth seeing at 71st and Andrus (On Andrus).

Another house very similar to the Goyettes can be seen in Darien at 7208 Richmond. In fact, the neighbors, once again, in that neighborhood, try to follow suit.

Where are some of the best public places in the Chicago land area to view decorations and lights today? The zoos are the first favorites to begin even in 2020.

Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago On the north side of Chicago, for over 20 years Lincoln Park Zoo has provided a beautiful light display of over 2 million lights. You can also find beautiful ice carvings throughout the zoo grounds. There are some restrictions due to Covid.

Brookfield Zoo 8400 31st St. Brookfield, Il 60513Just south of Chicago in Brookfield at the zoo, you can see 39 years of celebration for the holiday season. Visitors can be dazzled by over a million lights. Several corporations have set up trees set to music and one that you can actually interact.

Aurora Lights Festival 1000 Ray Moses Drive in Aurora, at Phillips Park. One of the largest free outdoor drive-through holiday light displays in Northern Illinois has some of the best in Phillips Park with even more dazzling displays that will delight both adults and children.

Morton Arboretum and Chicago Botanic Garden is currently sold out but you may want to check for additional tickets.