Starlight Circle

UPDATE: A quick walk around the block just now shows about 80% of the houses are now decorated. I would suspect most of the rest will be done sometime this weekend. We've had quite a few visitors already and it looks like more folks are opting to stay in their cars this year because of the virus, rather than get out on foot. This will mean more vehicular traffic, so please bring some extra patience with you . As far as I know, kettle corn and cotton candy will be avail...able for purchase but the hot cocoa folks are skipping this year. I do not have information on any other items at this time. As I've stated many times, this is not an organized event; it's just a neighborhood that decorates and people show up to see it. As such, I just give you my observations and forward information I've been given to help everyone out. If you're familiar with these updates, you probably need not read any further. If you're new or it's been a while, here is some additional information and some gentle reminders: For those of you trying to find us on a map or via GPS, "Starlight Circle" is actually East Glendon Circle and West Glendon Circle in Santee, 92071. Most residents have their lights on from about 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. seven days a week until Christmas Day. Some come on earlier, some stay on later, but that's the time frame you will catch most of them. Most of the residents shut down after Christmas Day, so if you want to see them you'll want to get out here by then. It helps with the traffic if everyone will make a right turn as they enter the circle so that all cars are headed in the same direction. If you see someone going the opposite way, it's likely a resident "swimming upstream" just trying to get home. Speaking of that, please be aware of residents trying to get in and out of their own driveways and make a break for them. Please take your trash out with you! The only people who are here to clean up every morning are the people who live in the circle. Give us a break by not leaving anything behind. Please be respectful of residents' yards and decorations. Many of us have displays that are old and/or fragile and are difficult or impossible to replace. Additionally, a majority of the yards have trip hazards and electrical connections that should be avoided. It's been a trying year for many and hopefully some bright, colorful lights and festive displays will bring some cheer to you all. Merry Christmas!

UPDATE: Lots of folks in the circle are out working on their houses and yards today! Some got the jump on the rest of us and are already up and running, so if you come through this weekend you'll probably see some houses all decorated but more that are still works in progress. I would expect by next weekend most folks will be all decorated. I'm just passing along what I've been told but to the best of my knowledge the kettle corn will be available starting Tuesday, 12/1, and the cotton candy on Friday, 12/4. Last I heard the hot cocoa folks are going to skip this year. I'm not sure about anybody else who sells goodies or trinkets but they are free to comment here and update y'all. I will continue to update and let you know how it's progressing in the coming days.

We're already getting questions about Christmas decorations. Let me begin with my annual disclaimer: This is not an organized event. It's just a neighborhood that for decades has decorated more than most and drawn large crowds. So there are no rules and no one in charge of anything. It all just happens, which is pretty special in itself. The only thing I manage is this Facebook page, where I put out information based on my observations and input I get from the people wh...o live immediately around me. So, with that said, a quick survey this morning of a few neighbors shows that most if not all people intend to decorate as usual. I don't think there will be as many people selling goodies and trinkets because of the issues with the virus. I have been told the kettle corn folks will be business as usual. They have their own page and I will attach the link to that at the bottom so you can direct any comments or questions about that directly to them. Historically, many residents have their decorations up by December 1st and most are up and running after another week or so. I update the page about once a week to let people know how it's going. Generally, most people have their lights on seven days a week from about 5:30 to 10:00, although some start earlier and some stay on later. Again, it's not an organized event and residents are free to do as they choose. If you are planning to visit this year, we ask as always that you be respectful of the residents' yards and decorations. Many of us have decorations that are old, fragile, and hard to replace. In addition, there are often trip hazards (electrical cords, wires, ropes, etc.) on the lawns that are hard to see at night. Also, please do not leave trash behind. You'd be amazed how much we have to pick up after a busy night. And please be mindful that the people who live within the circle often have trouble just getting in an out of their own driveways. Help us out if you see us trying to leave or get home! I've been asked about social distancing and mask wearing and such. As I mentioned earlier, this is not an organized event so there are not rules to be had other than what state and local guidelines provide. For those with concerns about the virus, it would seem that this year it might be better to enjoy the sights from one's vehicle rather than on foot. That's for each of you to decide based on your personal circumstances. (Please don't turn this issue into a political football on this page. We're here for holiday cheer!) It's been a trying year for everyone and hopefully our neighborhood will help brighten things up a bit. Here's the link to the kettle corn page for those of you who want to keep up with them. I'll be updating around Thanksgiving to let you all know what to expect. Merry Christmas in advance from Starlight Circle! https://www.facebook.com/starlightkettlecorn

Happy Halloween, everyone! I don't know how many residents in the circle will be passing out candy this year. I know for sure several won't be but I'm sure others will. If you plan on coming to the neighborhood, please keep a close eye on your kids as they tend to be oblivious to vehicular traffic. Also, please respect the yards and decorations of the residents, avoid houses that are "dark" or have barricades to keep people from coming to the front door, and PLEASE don't throw wrappers on the ground--take your trash out with you! You'd be amazed how much garbage there is in the circle on the morning of November 1st. We hope you have fun in whatever way you feel safe this year! I'll post an update in a month or so as the Christmas decorations start going up!

Less than a week to go before Halloween so I thought I'd post as much of an update as I can. I went around the neighborhood yesterday afternoon and I counted eleven houses decorated to some degree out of a possible 90. Normally there would be more by this point so I'm taking that as an indication that a good number of people are opting out of participating in the usual festivities this year due to health concerns. I know there are at least a few people who are planning to ...go ahead and hand out candy but it almost certainly will not be anything like a normal year. If you are planning to come into the circle that night, please be respectful of houses that are "dark" or have some sort of barrier to try and keep people from coming to the door. We're all trying to make the best decisions we can given our individual circumstances to get through this trying time. Hopefully Halloween 2021 will see everyone back out in force! If anything changes by the end of the week, I'll let y'all know. See more