Holiday light displays offer safely distanced family fun

<p>The nights around Johnson County have burst into illumination.</p><p>Thousands upon thousands of twinkling bulbs light up the landscape. Strands line roadways, cover trees and are shaped into cones, arches and all kinds of other shapes. Familiar icons of the holiday season — Santa, snowmen, even the Grinch — greet passersby who come to gawk.</p><p>In a year when so much is different, the excitement of a good holiday light show can’t be taken away.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery<p>Throughout Johnson County, bombastic light fixtures have been set up in public places, giving people a chance to celebrate the season in a safe, socially distant ways. Area parks turned into dazzling displays. One of the county’s most well-known institutions has decked out its grounds in a variety of decorations. A local youngster has transformed his family’s farm into Christmas acres.</p><p>The opportunities to be wowed are there. Here is a guide to finding the best holiday cheer this season:</p><p>Greenwood Holiday Lighted Trail</p><p><strong>Details:</strong> On from dusk to dawn throughout the holiday season; Amphitheater Park, 100 Surina Way; free.</p><p><strong>What:</strong> The grounds around the Greenwood Amphitheater are wearing their holiday best, in this new feature created by the Greenwood Parks &amp;amp; Recreation Department, in partnership with Duke Energy. The outdoor and socially distant holiday lighted trail opened on Dec. 5, with residents and visitors encouraged to safely tour the lights with their families and friends. People are greeted by a pair of gigantic candy canes, and weave their way through lighted trees, snowmen, ornaments and other symbols of the holidays. A lighted archway is set up to walk through, and organizers have added some surprises along the way.</p><p><strong>Information:</strong> greenwood.in.gov</p><p>Christmas at the Park</p><p><strong>Details:</strong> 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12, 18, 19, 23-26; 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 13, 20-22, 27. Johnson County Park, 2949 North St., Nineveh. $25 per car.</p><p><strong>What:</strong> Once again, organizers behind this relatively new event have turned the Johnson County Park into a winter wonderland. The interactive light show allows visitors to drive through the display, viewing the lights from the safety of your car. Pop culture favorites from the world of Disney and other cartoons make an appearance, as do beloved characters such as Frosty the Snowman and the Elf on the Shelf.</p><p>Socially distanced photos are available with Santa in his sleigh, or weather the wrath of the Grinch as he looks upon your fun with disdain. Masks are required for those getting photographs, or people taking advantage of free hot chocolate.</p><p>Information: <a href="http://facebook.com/LiveLightShow">facebook.com/LiveLightShow</a> or 812-361-3595</p><p>Christmas Acres</p><p>Details: On nightly at dusk. 6211 N. 500 E, Franklin. Free, though canned food donations for the Interchurch Food Pantry are accepted.</p><p>What: Payton Bohler has been enamored with all things Christmas for most of his life. Nothing is more exciting to the Whiteland Community High School student than stringing more than 50,000 lights and other decorations around the grounds of his family’s farm. And for the past few years, he’s invited the community to celebrate with him.</p><p>Bohler will once again host Christmas Acres on his family’s property. People are invited to see the light-covered trees, retro yard decorations and a house that seems like it comes straight out of Santa’s Village at the North Pole. At the same time, people can help their neighbors by dropping off donations of nonperishable food for the Interchurch Food Pantry.</p><p>Information: <a href="http://Facebook.com/christmasacrestreefarm">Facebook.com/christmasacrestreefarm</a></p><p>Compass Park</p><p>Details: On nightly at dusk. 690 State St., Franklin. Free.</p><p>What: Carolers sing outside a chapel, and Santa waves from atop a motorcycle. A festive carousel seems to spin in circles. Joseph and Mary, shepherds and a donkey gather around the newborn baby Jesus. Elves launch presents out of a gift cannon.</p><p>For the past 17 years, Compass Park, the home of the Indiana Masonic Home, has set up thousands of lights and different displays on the grounds around the facility’s circular drive. The tradition started in 2003, when the facility purchased the displays from Camp Allendale near Trafalgar and took over the yearly holiday production. They’ve been delighting families ever since.</p><p>Christmas Nights of Lights</p><p>Details: Dusk to 10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 3, with extended hours on weekends. Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1698 E. 42nd St., Indianapolis</p><p>What: Indianapolis’ largest synchronized light show returns to the Indiana State Fairgrounds this year for safe and socially distanced entertainment. More than 1 million lights synchronized to traditional and newer holiday music will play directly through your car stereo, ensuring you can enjoy the entire experience without leaving your car. Lights will corkscrew, bounce and whirl around your car in mesmerizing effect.</p><p>Tickets are $7 per person, with kids 3 and under free. A special carload rate is available for $30, for up to seven passengers in a single vehicle. Visitors are asked to use the entrance at Gate 12 of the fairgrounds, off of 42nd Street.</p><p>Information: <a href="http://christmasnightsoflights.com/indianapolis">christmasnightsoflights.com/indianapolis</a></p>