Next in a series: Dallas-Fort Worth neighborhoods celebrate the holidays with light displays like no other. We’re presenting neighborhoods individually this year, so let us know if you know of a neighborhood that needs to be showcased. Nominate a neighborhood in an email. Here’s the series so far.
Neighborhood: Deerfield, Plano
Where: Legacy Drive at Archgate Drive. Deerfield is between Preston and Coit roads north of Legacy Road. The lines of cars are forecast to be long, so the neighborhood suggests checking out the displays on weekdays. The HOA recommends using the back entrance from Quincy Lane. | Map
What makes it special: Deerfield’s tradition is told by homeowner Robin Gailey on the HOA website: “When Deerfield was being built, it was considered by many to be too far north on Preston Road. There were only fields north of the intersection of Park and Preston. The builders wanted to get people into the neighborhood to look at the homes, so for three or four Christmas seasons, they offered the homeowners a $5,000 prize for first place, $2,500 for second place, and $1,000 for third place,” Gailey wrote. “Also, there weren’t nearly as many families then as there are now so it was not unreasonable to win a prize. Several people got very competitive about it. People and pets were dressed in costumes and greeted people who drove through even giving out candy. Some people covered their lawns in cotton.”
What: People come from all over north Texas and stop by to see the dancing Santas, millions of twinkling lights, and larger-than-life displays Horse-drawn carriage rides are available.
When: 7 to 10 p.m. weekdays and 7 to 11 p.m. weekends through Dec. 30.
