ELYRIA, Ohio — For more than half a century, people have enjoyed the holiday lights displays at a well-known northeast Ohio landmark.
Linda Verlotti, 72, has been visiting the Finwood Estate on Abbe Road in Elyria ever since she was a child.
“Every year, I make sure we get to view and see this park,” said Verlotti.
Verlotti said it’s a family tradition to see the thousands of lights set up on the grounds.
“Oh, it’s been many, many years. I would say 50-60 years, just enjoying the city of Elyria and their lights,” said Verlotti.
Verlotti continued a family tradition by driving through the colorful estate with her granddaughter.
“It’s nice being around family and coming here because I’ve been here with everybody over the years, with the family,” Courtney Verlotti.
The historic landmark was built back in 1929 by common pleas Judge Guy Findley and Jennie’s wife. It was eventually deeded to the city of Elyria.
“We’ve estimated anywhere between 500 thousand and a million lights,” Carrie Reardon of the Elyria Parks Department said about the display.
Crews start to set everything up months in advance.
“We have staff that starts at the end of July with the outside, gets all the going and then starts in October in the inside of the house to get ready for Santa on Dec. 1,” said Reardon.
Finwood Estate draws a big crowd each year. Around 30,000 cars drive through the estate, and more than 8,500 come in to check out the inside of the house.
Since Verlotti lives in the area, she gets to enjoy the lights more than once.
“Oh, several times when I get a chance, and it’s just always a lot of fun to see the kids,” she said.
