A Pandemic Tradition

One display among Flight of Lights. 4/15/23 dwm

There was nothing to do in the spring of 2020 because of Covid-19.  

Everyone was locked down.  One of the few things families could do was go for a ride in the car.

That was the a-ha moment for people at the Dane County Airport who designed Flight of Lights.

It's a light display that just completed it's fourth spring display.

More than 5,000,000 LED lights are shining across six different displays.

The Brewers e-Sausages are part of 1 display. dwm

  The show ran from dusk until 11:30 March 24 to April 16.  We didn't get there until the penultimate night.

 The fourth annual light show is primarily sponsored by the county and its departments of parks and airport, plus three other local companies.

 Unlike holiday light displays in December which are held in parks, this display follows the road which passes the drop-off points for the terminal and parking garage then winds out to the main road.

That's a passenger 'beaming up.' 4/15/23 dwm

My favorite light display was on top of the bridge connecting the parking garage to the terminal (photo right).

Jet wash below a spaceship is picking up a passenger while an alien hovers nearby - I wasn't sure if that was a commentary on the benefits of flying local or there's nothing better than quickly climbing aboard an air craft.

It feels different to look at lights when there is no snow on the ground and very little Christmas music (although it's been snowing throughout April and the low-power FM station we had on was playing a few Santa tunes).

Part of Tribute to first defenders. 4/16/23 dwm

 You can't find many fun traditions that owe their start to Covid.  

 

 While working from home during Covid, I learned the value of using phone conversations to stay in touch when I couldn't meet people in-person.

 So, why not spend a spring evening waiting for sun down so the lights are turned on the non-holiday celebration?

 

 This being Madison, most lights are solar-powered thanks to batteries storing juice collected during the day.

 Mark your calendar for March 2024 to see if this young tradition makes it to its fifth year at the Dane County Airport.

 All photos by david mossner 4/15/2023