Where to go to see Tri-Cities’ holiday glow
If you love holiday lights, but aren’t fond of searching for them in the dark, Ben Franklin Transit can help.
The transit agency will offer a Christmas lights bus tour Dec. 18, leaving from the Three Rivers Transit Center, 7109 W. Okanogan Place in Kennewick. Spokeswoman Christy Watts said buses will take riders through heavily decorated neighborhoods in west Kennewick and south Richland.
Watts encouraged people to buy tickets in advance at either Three Rivers or Ben Franklin Transit’s offices, 1000 Columbia Park Trail. The cost is the same as a regular bus trip, $1.50 for a single fare or Dial-A-Ride, $4 for a family up to five people and 75 cents for customers with a reduced-fare card.
Ben Franklin Transit first tried a holiday lights tour last year, when it offered tours of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland on separate nights. Watts said those tours drew 384 people, but the agency felt it could be more successful if it consolidated the tours to one night and location and made an event out of it.
The Mid-Columbia Mastersingers will perform at 6 p.m., while refreshments will be offered.
“We’re going to turn our board room into a winter wonderland with Santa there,” Watts said.
Ben Franklin Transit would like to attract 600 people to the event, Watts said. The bus tours start at 7 p.m. and last for about an hour. Santa Claus will again appear from 8 to 9 p.m. The neighborhoods where the tour will take place are undetermined. Watts said transit officials plan to go out this weekend and see where the best lights are.
Senske’s annual light show
For those who still want to drive themselves to see lights, Senske Services will present its 13th annual holiday lights show nightly through the first week of January at 400 N. Quay in Kennewick. According to the company’s website, it will feature 340,000 lights.
Senske also will have open houses from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12 and Dec. 19. Santa Claus will be there, while Dutch Bros. and Between the Buns will sell food, with proceeds going to Second Harvest. Money and nonperishable food donations also will be taken for Second Harvest.
30th Annual Desert Plateau Neighborhood Lumineria
The 30th annual Desert Plateau Luminaria begins 6 p.m. Dec. 19 in west Pasco.
The event, held in the neighborhoods between Road 44 and Argent Road, features “miles of lighted masterpieces” along with holiday-decorated homes. Attendees can enjoy the lights by foot or vehicle, and carolers are welcome.
Online holiday lights map
For more of the best holiday light displays in the Tri-Cities, visit www.tri-cityherald.com/entertainment/holidays/lights for an interactive map featuring more than 20 light displays. Or submit your own at tricityherald.wufoo.com/forms/holiday-lights.
Geoff Folsom: 509-582-1543, @GeoffFolsom
This story was originally published December 11, 2015 at 7:01 PM with the headline "Where to go to see Tri-Cities’ holiday glow."