By Susan Lin
In the "2001 Holiday Light Spectacular," visitors would view the lights from their cars while driving along a two-mile path.
Among the light displays this year are 10 designed by local high-school students. Some 70 teenagers had submitted line drawings to the Jones Beach organizers, and the winners had their designs turned into three-story high, animated, multi-color light displays.
Joseph Wexler, 14, of John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore designed a snow angel.
"It's something I do every winter. I lay down in the snow and open my arms and legs, and when I stand up it looks like angel," Wexler.
At Jones Beach, the angel's arms and legs are animated to open and close.
"I wanted to do something that represents winter, something that everyone could relate to," Wexler said.
The high-school freshman said he did the drawing in 10 minutes. "My art teacher said we had to the assignment, so I just went home drew something that I thought about, and brought it back the next day," Wexler said.
Tara Davis, 14, who also attends JFK High School, said she, too, submitted sketches to the design contest as part of a class requirement.
Davis has two designs up at Jones Beach. One is a bell that has a leaf and ribbon, the other is a snowman.
"I was thinking something neutral, instead of a religious symbol," Davis said. "And I thought a snowman was a cute idea to do. Kids, whenever the holiday season comes around, they're always making snowmans. And it reminds me of when I was younger, always making a snowman. I enjoyed it a lot," she added.
The "2001 Holiday Light Spectacular" at Jones Beach is a co-promotion by Midwest Display of Marion, Ind., and Clear Channel Entertainment of New York City. The companies were contracted by the NYS Department of Parks and Recreation, which operates Jones Beach, to put on the holiday displays.
"Kids love to see the lights. And we wanted to give people a value-priced light show," said Dominic Roncace, vice-president for the Northeast region for Clear Channel.
"The displays are new every year," said Roncace, who is working his second season at Jones Beach. In addition to the high-school students' area, the light show also includes displays by professional light designers.
The displays are arranged in sections. The theme for one area is "the reason for the season," which includes religious symbols such as a menorah, and a nativity scene. There's also a "Victorian Village," which has houses and streets outlined in colorful lights; as well as a section themed "Santa's North Pole."
During the drive-through, holiday music will accompany the light displays. At the conclusion of the ride, people can opt to get out of their cars to walk around the "Christmas Village," where they can eat refreshments or pose in a picture with Santa.
Roncace said 15 percent of the proceeds from the lights show will go the Natural Heritage Trust, a group that preserves the environment at Jones Beach among other causes, and the World Trade Center Relief Fund.
To get to the lights show and Christmas Village, take the Southern State Parkway to Wantagh Parkway South, and follow the signs to Jones Beach. At the beach, follow the signs to the "2001 Holiday Light Spectacular," located at the West End of Jones Beach.
At a Glance
'2001 Holiday Light Spectacular'
Through Jan. 1
Jones Beach at the West End
Wantagh, (516) 221-1000
www.jonesbeachamp.com.
Open dusk to 10 p.m. Sun. to Thurs.
Dusk to 11 p.m. Fri. and Sat.
$12/car Tues. to Thurs.
$15/car Fri., Sat. & Sun.
$25 for 15-passenger vans
*On Tuesdays, drive thru twice for one admission price.
