Decorated trees join Naper Settlement display

Take the high-tech decorative wizardry on display at shopping malls this time of year and superimpose it over a quaint, Victorian-era town and you've got Naper Lights.

The Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise will present the dazzling holiday-themed light display on the grounds of Naper Settlement Thursdays through Saturdays through New Year's Eve. The show opens Friday.

The wire-framed figures, some animated, will depict Santa and his reindeer, an igloo with penguins, candy canes and Victorian carolers, said Rotarian John Colucci.

At least one display will feature animation synchronized with music.

Somewhere between 70,000 and 80,000 lights will illuminate the scenes, he said.

"Every year it doubles in size," Colucci said.

Rotarian Deb Newman agreed. "The displays get bigger every year," she said.

A new addition this year, Colucci said, will be a collection of live Christmas trees decorated by volunteer groups from elementary schools. A cash prize for the best tree, determined by visitor votes, will be awarded to the Home and School Association of the winning school, Newman said.

Naper Lights moved to the settlement last year after making its debut in Central Park in 2013.

"The settlement is wonderful to work with," Colucci said.

"We are so thrilled that Naperville Sunrise Rotary has Naper Lights at Naper Settlement," said Donna DeFalco, settlement marketing and sales representative. "It's so beautiful. They do a fabulous job."

DeFalco said the displays will be placed north of the Martin Mitchell mansion.

Colucci said the Naper Settlement location is ideally suited because the lights can be seen from several downtown vantage points.

Visitors who get up close to see it and stroll through the settlement grounds will also hear music and be offered free hot chocolate, Newman said. Several performances by local choral groups will be presented during the run of the event, she said.

"It's another activity to do, when you're out downtown having dinner or whatever," Newman said.

Colucci said he was inspired to bring a light display to Naperville while taking in the twinkly display in Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo several years ago.

"I've been in the shopping center business, in operations and development, for years," he said. "We found some lighting displays available to us at reasonable cost."

This year, several professional, volunteer electricians will help ready the displays. Colucci said all the lights used are of the LED variety, so the displays will require relatively low power consumption.

Members of the 80-member strong Sunrise Rotary have volunteered to help set up and operate the event, he said.

"Every member participates in one way or another," he said.

There is no charge for admittance to Naper Settlement during Naper Lights. While the event is free, Newman said freewill donations will be accepted.

Proceeds will be used to further the club's programs aimed at family and youth development, she said.

"We have a number of young adult and youth programs in Naperville and (in other areas of) DuPage County," Colucci said.

Newman said a small warming shelter will be available this year to protect against extreme weather.

Parking is available in the lot behind the settlement and at the Naperville Municipal Center across the street, Colucci said.