KENT: Tour of best Christmas lights of Houston County still an annual favorite

On two separate nights, armed with reader recommendations and my own "light" radar, my family and I rode around and picked the best lights in Houston County. Typically, I rank the lights from 1 through 10 but this year have arranged them more on a driving tour, thinking that would help anyone who rode around trying to see them all.

Start at 610 Bernard Drive, where you will be greeted by a beautiful life sized nativity scene and a reminder of the reason for the season. This home includes lots of lights and other fun things to see.

From Bernard go to Houston Road, travel across Watson. Off of Houston Road is 210 Brookwood Drive, which contains every animated blow-up there is and lots and lots of lights. Go around the block, come back out to Houston and cut through to Kimberly Road, then turn on to Skyway Drive. The next house sits on the corner of Skyway and Margaret Terrace. Here, Santa gets a needed break. Come back out to 501 Kimberly, where there's a real live Santa Claus outside ready to meet with your child. (The house sits on the corner of Kimberly and Todd. Park your car on Todd Circle and walk up to the home.)

Hang a right on Russell Parkway. You will want to head to 232 Tucker Road, off of Houston Lake Road. Decorated from top to bottom, this is like a modern day gingerbread house

Back on Houston Lake, take a right on Feagin Mill, then left on Lake Joy. There are going to be three subdivisions, all on your right. You are going to want to ride around all three of these neighborhoods; there are lots of great lights in each.

The first subdivision is Woodbridge. Go to 200 Old Bridge Road. This is a great house with lots of lights that decorate things in the yard as well, such as the fountain and the lamp posts.

Back on Lake Joy, the second subdivision is Kensington. On a cul de sac you will find 204 and 209 Abbotsbury Lane.

Both houses have some unique lights; don't drive too fast or you will miss the lights on the side of one of these houses.

After you return to Lake Joy, the third subdivision is Sleepy Hollow. Look for 103 Katrina Court. A sweet manger awaits you along with "a major award" in the window.

You are now going to travel down South Houston Lake Road. Traffic is heavier on this road than the neighborhoods so it will be harder to slow down, but there are so many lights at this house at 1803 S. Houston Lake Road, you still should be able to get a good view.

At Sandefur Road take a right and head down to Moss Oak subdivision on the left. You are looking for 202 and 216 Silk Tree Trace. Both of these houses have awesome lights and lots of details.

Sandefur Road will dead end into 41 or go back to Houston Lake; either way you want to head to Perry. The last house isn't a house -- it's a street full of lights -- Ball Street right in the heart of downtown. Music, blow-ups, Santa -- it is simply a sight to see.

While in Perry, take time to amble around and see the tremendous lighted scenes that are around downtown Perry.

So this is the 2015 version of the Best Lights in Houston County. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as we did.

Alline Kent can be reached at allinekent@cox.net or 396-2467.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "KENT: Tour of best Christmas lights of Houston County still an annual favorite ."