Holiday Lights

 

It's probably fair to say most people like holiday lights. 

How about over 670,000 lights on one property?

The Gay family in Lagrangeville, NY owns the title of most holiday lights on a residential property, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

It started in 1995 with 600 lights and continued to explode from there.

The display is within an hour from me and, tonight, we went to see them for the first time in a few years.

It was my niece Stephanie's wish to go, along with dinner with her mother, sister and nieces and her goofy Uncle.

(Capitalized for a purpose because that's me: "Uncle.")

Kendall and Emma consult their phones at dinner

I can't remember the first time I saw those lights but I'd say it's within the last 15 years. But left got busy and I probably haven't been back in six years.

Things have changed over time. Crowds used to show up, no question, but at least at first it was possible to go through the circular driveway and then park on the side of the road for a few minutes to take it all in.

Even after that, you could come out of the driveway, go a block or two, and turn around to go see it all again.

You'd say, "Why see it again?" Well, it's not just the lights. It's the hundreds of songs that the lights are synchronized with. The music is played over a very low-power FM radio signal (95.3 FM) that you quickly lose after leaving.

As you work your way off either New York Route 55 or 82 to find the house (the location is actually listed on Google Maps), you eventually realize virtually all the cars you're following are heading there also.

In the past, there might be the occasional short delay of traffic.

Tonight was different.

A long line of brake lights stretched, leading to a lengthy, though not remotely annoying delay.

Stephanie and I rode together, chatting up a storm as we caught a glimpse of the lights.

Soon, the music began to come through my car stereo and, I must warn you, if you're bothered by Coldplay or U2, for instance, then don't go because you'll get a healthy dose of both.

But the stars are the lights so the music is just providing the beat.

I can't explain what you'll see so you'll have to take my word for it, along with the pictures and this report from CBS This Morning.

There would be no second time through the lights without driving for 10 minutes just to get back on the long line. A police car sat near the driveway, blocking part of the road.

We worked out way back to NY 55 so that I could take Stephanie back to her car.

The Gay family says it only costs $350 per season to run the electricity, though the website says the true cost of the whole display is never truly known to anyone except the family dad, Tim.

Beyond that is what is raised, with a current total of over $415,000 going to local charities since the display again. Tonight, we added to the bucket of the Union Vale fire department.

Even I could find a little hint of wonder and spirit.

If you're up for a trip into Dutchess County, maybe 10 minutes off the Taconic Parkway, consider this for a fun night trip, especially as many things begin to close back up due to COVID-19.