When we used to go was in the early 90's. At that time, they had donation boxes out for Children's Hospital and had to use a rent-a-cop to direct traffic. You could see the glow from the houses in the sky before you turned the corner. The two dueling in-laws had everything--stuff like an 8-foot high ferris wheel with dolls in it, trains, animated lights, just tons of stuff. I'm pretty sure some of their neighbors weren't loving on it too much, with all the congestion and people, but I loved going there. I never saw anyone disrespecting the property or being rude. People would walk around with a child-like attitude of wonder. It was almost reverent. And quiet, with all the crowds, I remember a stillness. Always regretted not having video of it.
And, yeah, one year we went and it seemed reduced in scale, and I think we did go back after that--mid-90s maybe--and it was gone. I don't know if one or both moved away, got too old or ill, or just got tired of whichever neighbors were grinches about the whole thing.
Great memory, tho'--lots of nice times with my daughter, her friends, even her elementary school teacher tagged along one year. :)
