The city and businesses of Salem have their ownbrspectacular Christmas display on and around the pond the town was originallybrnamed for.
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It is a smaller display than the Spanish ForkbrChristmas fantasyland drive through, but the Christmas trees floating on thebrwater are a wonderful sight with the lights reflecting off the water.
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The number of lights you see is effectivelybrdoubled by the reflection in the pond. This year they have replaced some of thebrnativity pieces and added new lighting to that display. They have also added abrlighted garland that stretches over the main road into Salem on SR-198.
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The lighted Christmas trees in the middle of thebrpond, the lighted horse carousel, and the decorated foot bridge create an oldbrfashion Christmas theme. Additional small light scenes further compliment thebrvenue for a memorable family evening this holiday season.
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The annual Salem Pond Christmas lights originatedbr17 years ago when some residents liked the fourth of July fireworks reflectingbrin the pond and suggested a Christmas lights display reflecting in the pond.
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A plumbing business donated plastic pipe and citybremployees-built pontoons to support lights in the shape of Christmas trees. Thebrtrees were anchored to a cable stretched across the pond that also carried abrpower cord for the lights. The Christmas display has always been duallybrsupported by the city of Salem and the business community.
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The Salem Pond Christmas lights are turned onbrfrom 5:30 to 11 p.m. through New Year’s Eve. This is a free holiday event, therebris no fee for driving the city streets around the Salem Pond. As you drivebrthrough Salem on SR-198 look for 200 West, and the display is located at KnollbrPark, 200 West 300 South.
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As a bit of local history, Salem was founded in 1851 and wasbroriginally known as Pond Town after pioneers created the pond by damming thebrcreek. More dams later enlarged the pond. The town was later renamed Salembrafter Salem, Massachusetts, the birthplace of early settler Lyman Curtis. (Helmickbris a Serve Daily contributor.)
