Batson's Blog

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.

McAdenville's annual Christmastown USA is up and running again this year. The Charlotte area Christmas light extravaganza started Monday and is worth checking out, especially if you haven't seen it before. I went last year for the first time and it was a very cool experience. I drove in heading west on I-85 to exit 22. That was extremely crowded, so I continued on I-85 to exit 21. I took Cox Road to Franklin Blvd/Andrew Jackson Highway/74 and then took the back way in. That seemed to work much better. There weren't any designated parking spots that I found. It's more of a 'take what you can get' kind of thing. If you find a spot on a residential side road, take it. Town officials do remind visitors not to block railroad crossings or prevent the flow of traffic though. There isn't necessarily a route people follow. You basically follow the lights. Follow the cars and follow the lights.