With 2018 coming to an end, local residents have a few more days to take a gander at the Christmas lights and decorations in downtown McMinnville.

According to McMinnville Public Works Department assistant director Brad Hennessee, the lights will be turned off when the new year is ushered in.

“I’ve received a few phone calls from people wanting to know when the lights will be shut off,” said Hennessee. “If you want to see the lights, Jan. 1 will be your last chance. We’ll turn them on that night for New Year’s Day. Last year, due to the weather, we left them on a little longer than usual. Customarily, we turn them off right after New Year’s Day.”

The lengthy removal process begins shortly thereafter – goodbye tree, goodbye lights, and goodbye Christmas until next year. 

According to McMinnville landscape manager Hank Patton, who oversees the yearly process, it takes up to eight weeks to place the light display. The process started the first week in October and continued until the end of November. There are approximately 85,000 lights in the display. 

Removal and storage is estimated to take 3-4 weeks.