Christmas lights and New Year's fireworks

I was going through some of my holiday photos and videos and finally got around to uploading some of them.

First up: Christmas at the Western Mall.

This light show is a yearly tradition in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

It originally became a local attraction in Crooks, South Dakota -- a small town outside of Sioux Falls.When the show became too big for the residential neighborhood it started in, the show was moved to a mall in Sioux Falls.

I did a story on the move when I was still a reporter in South Dakota.

It doesn't cost anything to watch the show, but organizers and sponsors ask that people donate to Make-A-Wish.

With over 55,000 lights, the show is incredible. I went to watch it twice this year.


I uploaded three videos to my YouTube channel and put some photos up on my Flickr Photostream.

Next up: the First Night New Year's Eve celebration in Charlotte. This year was the first time it was held in Romare Bearden Park. I wasn't there for the entire event, but it was the first time I got to see the crown rise.

The fireworks lasted for about a minute or so after the clock struck midnight. It wasn't a massive fireworks show, but fireworks are always cool -- no matter how many of them are set off. I was impressed by the colors, the variety and the festive atmosphere.

Overall, not a bad way to spend New Year's Eve.

I put photos up on Flickr and a video on YouTube as well.

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