Fair Park in Lights- TONIGHT (Free Tonight)

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

http://www.fairpark.org/Index.cfm?Fu...ndarEventid=90
This is the first year for this particular version did have a drive through the park with light displays in the past but this looks more traditional.
Free Parking and Entry! (Bet later days will not be free but didn't really look because they probably won't have all the extras that tonight will have).

Just heard about this on the news this morning or would have put up an earlier notice.

Yeah the Boys will be on today late but turn on the Tivo at half time or by then they may have it all sewn up anyway.

So be there at 5 to get some of the better shots and then for Sunset to catch that light and then the lighting ceremony.

(I'll be out there- look for a purple jacket (ski jacket that is my cold weather outer layer))

Don't know if the city will be putting a tree up at city hall there was not one there yesterday during the parade! So this may be the big ceremony for Dallas this year.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

If you are into antiquing there is a big antique show in the park today also-decent high quality dealers in the past
http://www.fairpark.org/Index.cfm?Fu...darEventid=165
So go to the antique show till 4 then hit the tree lighting event at 4 and then go into the Womens Museum at 6 (free entry tonight from 5 pm to close with associated events inside), then back outside for the lighting ceremonies!

[ShutteredEye]

I wonder if tripods are allowed?

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Since parking is close and free take it with you, if someone says no then just go put it away.

Generally tripods are allowed in the park just not sure if during an event like this if they are allowed since it may be crowded.

[ShutteredEye]

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

Since parking is close and free take it with you, if someone says no then just go put it away.

Generally tripods are allowed in the park just not sure if during an event like this if they are allowed since it may be crowded.

Hmm, the only reason I'd be going would be to shoot the lights. I think I may wait until later this week, for a less busy time. I've looked everywhere to see if they charge later on, and judging from where it is, I don't know how they could... Of course parking won't be free, but then it might just be worth the $$ to go another day.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Yeah I think the free part that I saw was the entry into the Womens Museum. I'm going because of the people in costume and others going on tonight, may swing by later on in the week one night to shoot the actual trees and buildings lit up since it is real close to me (less than 3 miles).

Since I always have a tripod in my Jeep I may take it with me onto the grounds and see if anyone says anything. (already know some vantage points to shoot this from)

Wonder if they are doing anything special with the 6 statues that line the reflecting pool? (Heck I may just hop over there in a bit and look around and report back here).

(If your not real familiar with the area in the park I took many shots in the area that are in my State Fair Albums for this year and last).

[ShutteredEye]

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

Yeah I think the free part that I saw was the entry into the Womens Museum. I'm going because of the people in costume and others going on tonight, may swing by later on in the week one night to shoot the actual trees and buildings lit up since it is real close to me (less than 3 miles).

Since I always have a tripod in my Jeep I may take it with me onto the grounds and see if anyone says anything. (already know some vantage points to shoot this from)

Wonder if they are doing anything special with the 6 statues that line the reflecting pool? (Heck I may just hop over there in a bit and look around and report back here).

(If your not real familiar with the area in the park I took many shots in the area that are in my State Fair Albums for this year and last).

A scouting report would be awesome.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

I'll go by there in a little bit and see what I can find out.

[beenew]

Sounds exciting...haven't tried much of Night photography...perhaps i'll try it out today...any suggestions what kind of lens, fstop.
Hope they allow tripods...
Krish

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Just got back, ok there are 12 wire Christmas trees with lights about 20 ft tall each, there is a chair for Santa and Misses Clause on the west end of the fountain by one of the trees. There are 2 outdoor stages-one by the Auto Building about 2/3 of the way down from the Hall of State and One in the street across from the hall of state-larger stage.

Lights should go on sometimes after 6:30
Talked to a guard there and he has heard nothing about restrictions on tripods
There are hot chocolate and Hot Cider booths-or sale
Electricitians were still installing things at 3pm
Also some wirelighted deer and other figures along the fountain
Nothing special with the 6 ladies of Texas
I plan to get there a bit after 5
Perry is a mess -one side under construction-
I would advise parking over by the Science Place/Big Lot

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Pretty much a sucky event.
I there were carollers they were inside the Museum before 7 pm. other than a handful who sang on the main stage right before the trees came on. Very poor show, one stage wasn't even used for anything and the guys were tearing it down by 6:30.
There was a Mr _ Mrs Claus, a reindeer, a small hay ride, a fire in a pit so deep you couldn't see it till you stood at the edge of the pit, Hara Krishna on stage (?), Black Dance Troup and some Peruvian Flute Players-real Christmas music ( ?)

Shot some pics and will get them up tommorrow probably. Tried to help out a lady using a tripod on getting a better picture from her set up. (she was shooting on auto I believe and it wasn't coming out the best).

[ShutteredEye]

But are the lights worth the trip?

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

I'll get some pics up tommorrow so you can see for yourself. (all shots were hand held but a few longer exposures-will see how much I shake when I work on them tommorrow).

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Started going through the pics and have to admit that I would not travel to Fair Park to see them as a destination, if you are coming into Dallas for something else and have the time then go by and see the display or if you live within the LBJ loop.

If it is windy that day the lights will move a bit on the wire trees and you will get blur-they are pretty tight but the wind will move them in windy conditions. Defenitely take a tripod. If you go you will spend probably 20-30 minutes to walk the length of the reflecting pool and over by the Mill Inn Restraunt-in reguards to the pool I think better shots are shooting towards the Hall of State vs Towards Downtown.

City gets a C+ at most for this-didn't even go through the effort to string lights into the trees along the pool/fountain just wrapped the tree trunks then of course the wire metal treeish shapes.

Heck they should have pulled Big Tex out and put him back in a Santa Suit-He started out as a Santa Claus in west Texas!

[ShutteredEye]

Well, that's disappointing.