Holiday Displays Light Up the Season

Hubbard Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, draws thousands of visitors each year with its Silver Festival of Lights. This spectacular outdoor display, held from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, showcases over 500,000 lights and hundreds of lighted characters found throughout the park.

These displays can be found decorating buildings, floating on ponds, in the trees, and nestled in the grassy hills and woods. Thousands of people each holiday season drive throughout the park or walk along the lighted trails to enjoy this magical time of year.

In 1889, the land for Hubbard Park, was donated by Walter Hubbard, president of the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Co. His only stipulation was that everything connected with the park remain free of charge for the people of Meriden, and that no concessions for profit were ever allowed within the park area. His request still holds true today.

The park was laid out by Mr. Hubbard with the help of the Olmsted Brothers, sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, America’s foremost landscape architect. Two of his most famous projects were Central Park in New York City and Boston’s seven-mile long Emerald Necklace.

This is a park I visit often. It always makes me smile to see this forested area decorated with twinkling lights, sparkling creatures and designs, some that float on, or are near water with beautiful reflections. It truly is a winter wonderland for people of all ages. Thank you, Mr. Hubbard, in opening once private lands to be shared with everyone. Your generosity and kindness is still felt today and will be for generations to come.