It is that time of year when the Sunset Hills neighborhood area has about 500 homes decorate with thousands of these lighted balls you see above. They stretch as far as the eye can see, with a special concentration in Sunset Hills Park between North and South Greenway Drive. The tradition started in 1996, at the corner of Madison and Ridgeway, when the Smith family began making the outdoor ornaments. What started as one family’s decorations spread quickly throughout the neighborhood. Now, there are workshops on how to make them, a 5K race, and a food drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

In 2011, local firefighter Nick Loflin started the 5K Charity Race, The Running of the Balls, as a fundraiser for the Second Harvest Food Bank. The race is happening on Saturday, December 13th. People will be decked from head to toe in lights and festive garb.

To date, almost 50,000 people have participated in the race and almost 6 million meals have been provided through Second Harvest. This event is evidence of community spirit that is such a part of Greensboro. If you can, drive by the corner of Madison and Sunset and drop some food in the collection bin. Do so after dark and enjoy the lights. They are mesmerizing.

Happy Monday!