Balboa Park Goes Green(er)!

by Mackenzie Miller I can’t believe it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet, and I am already looking forward to Christmas. Poor Thanksgiving. Shoved between Halloween and Christmas. Store displays are already red and green, with candy canes, mistletoe and lights springing up all over San Diego. Balboa Park is no exception. Sunday, November 22 is the annual tree lighting on the Old Globe Plaza, which includes performances by the cast of The Grinch! The tree lighting kicks off the season, immediately followed by “Balboa Park December Nights,” the largest free community festival in San Diego. December Nights is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors between December 4th and 5th alone. In the spirit of the holidays, participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. both evenings. I know what you’re thinking. Crowds. Trash. LIGHTS. Christmas festivities – traditional as they may be –

CAN be a little wasteful at times, can’t they? That’s why I was SO happy to find that Balboa Park is going GREEN for December Nights this year! San Diego Gas & Electric is covering the center of the Plaza de Panama with an energy efficient canopy of LED holiday lights, illuminating the Park for the entire holiday season. SDG&E is also offering to trade free LED holiday lights for old incandescent ones! As if that weren’t enough, guests will receive a free Home Energy & Water Savings Kit and a reusable shopping bag. The Balboa Park website gives great tips for San Diego Public Transportation, too. Who knew that the holiday season could be so energy-efficient? Thanks for looking out for the environment, San Diego! For more information on Balboa Park December Nights, and the Tree Lighting ceremony, visit: http://www.balboapark.org/

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