Christmas lights come down at festive Beaumont home – until next year
Posted January 2, 2024 9:39 am.
Last Updated January 2, 2024 10:05 am.
The lights have come down outside a Beaumont house, putting an end to a spectacular show that attracted hundreds in the community – at least until next year.
Every Christmas, Murray Thomson puts on a light show of epic proportions.
“We have the matrix screen – it’s like a billboard – and then we have the same lighting on the Christmas trees and we have the same lighting on the stars and then we have the singing faces,” Thompson said.
The festive house on 55 Avenue, which looks like something you would find on Edmonton’s Candy Cane Lane, comes to life at night during the holidays
“There’s about 3,500 lights and there’s more, but I just ran out of room,” Thomson said.
It was his third year decorating the house. His goal is to bring joy to the community.
“The first night when I was standing watching, a car stopped and two little girls came out and they looked at me and ran out and gave me a hug and thanked me for doing it. That’s what it’s all about,” Thomson said.
He says this year was much busier as word continues to spread about the house.
“This is the first winter where we haven’t had 40 below, so I see lots of people walking on the street,” he said. “One night there were 11 little kids dancing on the sidewalk and I’ve seen grandmas and their little grandchildren dancing on the streets.
“Some nights I look out the window and there are six cars lined up and I have to thank my neighbours across the street for putting up with it cause there’s lots of cars, lots of traffic.”
Thomson says to hang some of the lights he had to use a 3D printer to make custom hooks. And when it comes to the cost of lighting?
“I don’t notice the lights on the electric bill. They’re so efficient now,” Thomson said.
The family is also taking advantage of the attention to help the hungry in Beuamont. Thomson collects food donations for the town’s “Karma Pantry” to help those in need. The blue and white bin gets filled up with the help of volunteers.
“It makes me happy that people are stopping to help other people and that’s what it’s all about, Christmas,” Thomson said.
