Lights on the Lake to open a week early

The Christmas lights are coming a week early to Onondaga Lake Park.

Wegmans Lights on the Lake, the holiday season light show that draws thousands of visitors annually, will kick off with walk-throughs Nov. 14 and 15 and a dog walk Nov. 16. Cars can begin rolling in the night of Nov. 17, launching a seven-week run, officials announced this morning.

Record attendance last year led to the decision to open the show early, Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said. She attributed the boost to the county’s collaboration with partner Galaxy Communications and sponsor Wegmans.

Lights on the Lake features animated light displays along the park’s paved walking, biking and skating trail from the Salt Museum to Long Branch, a stretch of about 2 miles. Residents whose homes back up to the trail frequently decorate their yards, too, adding to the fun.

Entry is from Onondaga Lake Parkway.

According to the county Department of Parks and Recreation, 38,554 vehicles toured the display during its 2010-11 run.

This year, the pedestrian-only walks are scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 14 and 15, followed by a dog walk 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 16.

Drive-throughs 5 to 10 p.m. nightly will begin Nov. 17 and continue through Jan. 8.

Admission will be $8 per car Monday through Thursday, $12 per car Friday through Sunday.

Visitors who present Wegmans Shoppers Club cards on Mondays and Tuesdays will pay $6; those with Driver’s Village or Burdick Automotive license plate frames will pay $6 on Wednesdays.

Also, $6 advance sale tickets will go on sale Tuesday at Wegmans and at the Griffin Visitor Center at Onondaga Lake Park. They will be available through Nov. 16 and will be good any night of the show except New Year's Eve, Dec. 31.

The park will play host New Year’s Eve to the second annual First Night CNY. New Boyz is scheduled to perform. Visitors also will be able to play laser tag and glow-in-the-dark miniature golf outdoors or play video games and sing karaoke under heated tents. A ball drop at midnight and fireworks over Onondaga Lake will cap the event.