DeFuniak Springs

IF YOU'RE ANYWHERE within a couple of hours or so of DeFuniak Springs during the Christmas season, it's well worth the trip to the small Florida town located in the state's northwest Panhandle. The town's citizens go all-out with over 4.5 million lights for a celebration which they call "Christmas Reflections." The event draws thousands of visitors every December. DeFuniak Springs has to be one of the nation's best leisure destinations for viewing Christmas lights.

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Chipley Park and the shoreline around Lake DeFuniak are decorated to the max. Holiday characters, animated items, nativity scenes, and trees with branches and trunks surrounded with lights are all reflected in the water of the Lake. The Lake itself is one of only two nearly perfectly round lakes in the world. The shoreline Park is on 40 acres of land and the Lake has an additional 40 acres of water. A drive or a walk around the Lake is nine-tenths of a mile. The Lake is enhanced with two 100-foot lighted piers with attached gazebos.

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Lake DeFuniak is in the heart of downtown on Circle Drive. The entrance to the Lake is lined with lighted candy canes. From the first of December through New Year's Eve, "Christmas Reflections" opens each day at sunset. The entrance fee is $3 per person.

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Even without the Christmas lights, DeFuniak Springs is an interesting little town with a population of about 4,000. In 1855 it received a charter from the Chautauqua organization as their winter location. The Chautauqua Building, also known as the Hall of Brotherhood, still stands. An open amphitheater is the home of concerts and plays. The oldest operating library in the state of Florida is also located in DeFuniak Springs.

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Fishing and boating are permitted in Lake DeFuniak at times other than the Christmas season. Permanent older homes can be found around the Lake. And, when these homes come into view, it's like a walk into the Victorian era.

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DeFuniak Springs is just north of Interstate 10 where U.S. Highway 331 intersects with U.S. 90 in the Florida Panhandle. A visit to this little town - especially during the Christmas season - is a great choice for an enjoyable outing. And, quite possibly, it could become one of those leisure experiences which will be remembered for a long, long time.