GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Acacia Street in Graaff-Reinet is an unlikely tourist destination, but every December people flock there in the thousands.

Just a short drive away from the town's CBD, it is an unassuming street in a nondescript suburb.

At least until night falls in December.

Then, the houses of Acacia Street are lit up in a dazzling and detailed display of Christmas spirit.

It has been this way for more than 10 years, at first with only a few houses.

But gradually more people got on board, and the displays grew more elaborate.

This annual project dates back to 1999 when a simple street party to celebrate the Millennium was held by the residents of this street.

In 2007 the Acacia Street Christmas Lights project was launched.

Ruth Welman was the initiator of the whole project as she wanted to honour her late mother who died of cancer, and, with the assistance of Clive Foster, they developed the project into the immense success it is today.

Every year thousands of Rands are raised with the aid of sponsors and donations - the money collected by way of this project is then donated to the Graaff-Reinet Cancer Association.

Preparations for this year's display have already begun and all those involved are excited to see what this year has in store for the project.

The official switching on of the lights will occur on Saturday evening, 15 December, with the programme running until the evening of 31 December.

The organisers and Acacia Street residents invite everyone to come and enjoy the lights and while doing so donate a little something into the cans of the collectors who will be roaming the street.

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