Willow Glen Holiday Lights
Date: (Sat.) Dec. 19, 2015
Location: San Jose, CA
Event Director: 
- 650.302.4835
Course Setters: Brad Wetmore, Tony Pinkham
Type: C; 60- or 90-minute Light-O (Score-O) course and potluck social
Course Setters' Notes
By (and Brad Wetmore)
This is an incredible year for holiday decorations in Willow Glen. The residents have gone all out this year with more decorations than I've ever seen in previous years, which means that we will be having more controls than we usually have. If you come to the Willow Glen event on Saturday, December 19, you'll be in for fun courses with over 50 controls, lots of beautifully decorated homes, lots of interesting decorating themes on various streets (at least two new themes this year, and some themes are expanding to new streets), and of course a nice potluck after the courses close. This is definitely a good year for our Night-O courses. It is great fun for single competitors, families, couples, and friends who want to form teams that explore these decorated neighborhoods.
The fun begins when the Willow Glen Elementary School opens at 5 PM. Come early to meet others and prepare for your course. We'll hand out maps early so that you can plan your route with your team (if you have a team). We plan to have a mass start at 6 PM. You can run for up to 60 or 90 minutes, with significant penalties if you return late (plan carefully so that you avoid penalties and get your share of food at the potluck afterwards). We'll explain the rules in a posting to the BayONet and just before the mass start. If you show up late, we'll start you up until 6:15.
Be sure to bring reflective clothing so that car drivers can easily see you. We always encourage our competitors to be extremely safe when crossing streets—the car drivers are looking at decorated houses and are not expecting to have runners crossing the streets. Wearing reflective clothing is the first thing you should do to protect yourself and anyone orienteering with you. Having a flashlight or headlamp also helps. Looking out for cars is always a must.
Good running or walking shoes are also recommended. If rain is in the forecast (right now there is a slight chance of rain), bring protective clothing or something to change into afterwards. Of course, flashlights or headlamps are necessary so that you can read your map, see hazards on sidewalks and streets, and show yourself to car drivers.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone who can join in on the fun. We're printing some extra maps, but to be sure that you get a map, sign up for the event potluck here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JyTgvFNI_hqVmDlMsY_6ADRMpsyewfAbKhtnNfonggE/viewform?usp=send_form#start=invite) (even if you won't be staying for the potluck). We always welcome everybody who comes to the event, but knowing that you intend to come helps us plan the number of maps to print.
If you can volunteer, please let us know. We will need help handing out maps (2–3 people), running finishes (1 person), checking results (2–3 people), setting up the potluck, and lots of help cleaning up afterwards (let the event director, , know if you can help.