FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio — A cherished holiday tradition along Seabury Avenue is facing challenges, and a recent special meeting at Fairview Park City Hall may have brought on more questions than answers.
Residents, city officials, and other members of the community gathered Thursday night to discuss the future of the Seabury holiday lights display — a neighborhood staple for more than three decades.
Last year, Seabury Avenue attracted nearly 1,500 visitors in a single night, triple the usual attendance. However, what began as a joyful holiday celebration has now sparked concerns over safety, noise, and traffic congestion. The city reports that the increased crowds, along with issues related to noise and electrical infrastructure, have led to complaints and calls for tighter regulations.
"Up until last year, before we had a thousand people on the street at one time, it wasn't a problem," an exasperated Fairview Park Police Chief Paul Shepard told those at the meeting. "But now, there's a problem."
For longtime residents like Bill and Diane McVicker, who helped start the holiday lights tradition in the 1990s, the news is bittersweet. The McVickers describe the display as a community-building effort that has brought neighbors and families together for generations.
"I see all the happy faces, I see the families coming back year after year after year," Diane said, emphasizing the joy and unity the lights have brought to Seabury Avenue.
But this year, the city is taking steps to address safety concerns. Officials have announced that while residents are still allowed to decorate their homes, they must avoid blocking intersections and keep sidewalks clear. These restrictions mean the beloved holiday light arches — which once stretched across the sidewalks — will no longer be allowed.
Violating these new ordinances could result in a fourth-degree misdemeanor and potential jail time. The regulations draw from city ordinances established in the 1970s, which are being reinforced to accommodate the growing crowds on Seabury Avenue and ensure a safer environment for residents and visitors alike.
"We have more people visiting than ever, we have more traffic problems than ever, we have people trespassing at other people's houses," Shepard claimed.
While some neighbors expressed frustration over the changes, others remain hopeful for a solution that will allow the tradition to continue in the years to come.
"I guess I’m hoping to be hopeful for next year," Bill McVicker said. "Hopefully we can have those good dialogues on ideas and get the code changed as well."
For now, Seabury Avenue will shine a little differently this holiday season, as the community navigates the balance between tradition and public safety.