(Photo by Greg Raisman)
Last night was the unofficial/official start of the annual Peacock Lane holiday light festival. For the first time ever this year, organizers decided to try a carfree night.
From all reports we heard, it was a big success. Not even snow, ice and frigid temps could keep people away from the lights and this “quintessential PDX experience” (as one reader put it). Not having to worry about cars in the street was icing on the cake.
(Photo by Greg Raisman)
Reader Scott Mizee lives in University Park neighborhood. He attended the event with his entire family and said, “The kids and I had a great time slipping and sliding down the middle of the street! Fantastic night.” Mizee hasn’t experienced the event with cars, but adds, “I can imagine what it would be like and I think I’d stay away on such a night…”
We heard from one of our Twitter followers, “secretmuffin“, that “Peacock lane is happening!” and that, “People are walking with kids and its cold cold fun!…Lots of people are venturing OUT and loving it carfree.”
Scott also took photos of the event. For more images, check out the photosets from SE Portland residents Greg Raisman and Aaron Tarfman.
Did you brave the elements for the holiday lights and hot apple cider on carfree Peacock Lane? We’d love to hear your stories.
— Peacock Lane’s light extravaganza will be open until December 31st. Find out more at PeacockLane.net.
It was freezing, but so lovely… you could see both side of the street at once and it just felt wonderfully spacious. People started out on the side walks and then realized with a sigh of pleasure that they could walk on the street…
I hope this becomes a yearly tradition and would love to see perhaps one day a week carfree at Peacock Lane!
The snow was great. Just like in the movies. I agree, having a car-free day each week would be great.
Hey all;
Thanks to everyone who braved the temps and extreme wind-chill.
It was great to see so many folks having fun and kids sliding down the center of the road.
Keep in mind that lots of work and $ went into the effort. So if you can, stop by and make a donation to the hot chocolate/cider booth at Peacock Ln during the rest of the season.
Ho Ho Ho
The fam and I walked down around 8 pm on Sunday. It was so surreal without the cars, man: the smell, noise, bright lights in the eyez and safety to boot. I wish for more carless nights.
Someone mentioned it was tough to get the permit to close the road. TOO BAD about the weather. It was brutal cold but the hot choc was that much better. Try carless night again, folks, please!
We’ve walked Peacock Lane for many years and this one was wonderfully different.
Part of it was the snow, and part of it was the comradarie of the cold cold cold… but a great big part of it was the humanizing, carefree, carfree quiet.
Yes, please, do it again next year- with or without the snow!
Our sincerest thanks to our amazing volunteers! We couldn’t have pulled off the car-free night without your help. Also great big thanks to all who braved the weather and came out to enjoy the Lane. We LOVED our car-free evening and are looking to find a way to make more nights this way in the future.
I had a great time volunteering AND strolling. Thank you Becky for the amazing hot drinks to keep us toasty. This was my first time to enjoy this and it will certainly become a holiday tradition – on the car-free nights!
It was chilling, but I still enjoyed the stroll up and down the lane. Although the road was shut down to cars, I stuck to the sidewalks as the street itself looked too slick to risk; however, plenty of people seemed to be skirting on top of the ice just fine.
It was a special and magical night, even with the frigid temps. I really hope there will be more next year.
Word is PDOT was really helpful and very much behind the effort. I think I heard someone mention a goal of half of the nights being car-free next year – I know the Sunnyside Neighborhood Assoc. will be totally behind this effort.
Thanks to Becky and Joe for keeping us volunteers warm with some “hot spicy wine” … whoa.