Peacock Lane

Peacock Lane signage in 2013

Peacock Lane is a four-block street in the Sunnyside neighborhood in southeast Portland, Oregon, U.S. It is known for its fully decorated homes during the Christmas season.[1] During this time of year, thousands of people come from all over the Portland area to view the decorated houses. Peacock Lane is also the namesake of the album Christmas on Peacock Lane by local musician Michael Allen Harrison.

History

The community's website explains:

“ Since the 1920s, each house in this quaint southeast neighborhood has been decorating for Christmas. Mostly Tudors, the houses are adorned with not only beautiful sparkling lights, but also nativity scenes, rotating Christmas trees and stunningly life-like replicas of Santa and Frosty. Be forewarned: this is a very popular Portland tradition and the crowds can get quite thick. It is wise to park several blocks away and walk, rather than drive through the area. Better yet, take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.[2] ”
The "Peacock Lane Grinch"

The annual tradition was interrupted for a few years during World War II and again during the 1973 energy crunch. Typically, all but a few of the 31 houses and four apartments along the street participate. Real-estate agents inform would-be homeowners of the annual event and former homeowners often hand down their decorations to new residents. The nightly event traditionally begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. and runs between December 15 and New Year's Eve. Between December 20 and 23, Santa Claus hands out 4,000 candy canes donated by a nearby Walgreens pharmacy.

Popular annual displays include several Peanuts characters ice-skating on a small pond, a plywood Oregon State Beaver and a large wooden Grinch from How the Grinch Stole Christmas! that has been a staple since the 1980s. The Grinch has been vandalized several times over the years. It was stolen for a brief period in 1994 and was decapitated in 1997. The Grinch now has a red bow tied around his neck to help conceal the damages.[3] More recent displays feature characters from Dr. Who, The Muppets, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Star Wars and several Nickelodeon cartoon shows. A life-sized mural of Will Ferrell's "Buddy" from the 2003 film Elf adorns a small stand that sells hot chocolate and coffee.[4] [5]

As the annual tradition has become increasingly popular, residents on the lane have cited their concerns over vandalism, heavy crowds and even public urination. To help combat these problems, the street is now closed to automobiles on certain evenings. The Portland Police Department has also stepped up patrols and employs officers to direct traffic during busier hours.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Potter, Connie (December 2005). "Streetscape: Peacock Lane -- New owners move in, but show goes on". The Oregonian. Retrieved January 2007.
  2. ↑ "Peacock Lane History". [Peacock Lane Website]. 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  3. ↑ Murphy, Todd (October 30, 2009). "Bright Lights, Big Traffic". The Portland Tribune. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  4. ↑ M., Michelle (January 8, 2014). "Peacock Lane in Portland, Oregon". Lil Bit. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  5. ↑ Kohr Harlan (December 15, 2014). "Peacock Lane: Portland's Christmas Street". KOIN. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  6. ↑ Boyle, Pat (December 19, 2011). "Peacock Lane Neighbors Upset With Crowds". KXL. Retrieved December 7, 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Peacock Lane.

Coordinates: 45°31′05″N 122°37′18″W / 45.518°N 122.6218°W