Switch flipped on Rio Lane
It would not be surprising that during December the north-end St. Catharines cul-de-sac of Rio Lane can probably be seen from space.
For the 38th year, residents have decorated their homes and lawns with every imaginable type of Christmas display.
There are, of course, the requisite Santas, dozens of every shape and size, blow-up Buddy the Elf, Yoda bearing gifts, candy-cane fences and an illuminated nativity scene.
People crowded the street Saturday night for the official lighting of the must-see for residents who love the visual feast of Christmas lights.
Kevin Majkut, who took over organization a few years ago, estimated about a thousand people filled the street for the launch.
“The kids love it. The community loves it. You have to keep it going,” he said.
“Sometimes it doesn’t seem worthwhile because of all the effort, but when you see this (pointing to the crowd), you know it’s worthwhile.”
Marks No Frills staff offered to serve hot chocolate.
“You don’t realize how big it is — until you tell somebody your address and they say ‘That’s where the Christmas lights are.’
“There’s been people here from China, England, Australia because their visiting family but they make the trip.”
Stan Porzuczek, who used to live on the street, returned this year with his wife and his 10-year-old grandson.
He said the first year, Don Laws, who inspired the tradition, told him to do a good job in decorating, so he hung about 2,300 lights.
The next year he had 3,000 lights, and then 5,500 lights adorned his home at 1 Rio Lane.
Porzuczek who lived there from 1992 to 1998 recalled that hydro bills at that time weren’t so bad.
“The difference for the whole month (in ’92) was only $4 on the electric bill.”
Majkut said that the lights will be on from 5 p,m. until midnight every night through December.
“Everybody pays their own hydro.
“We raise a lot of money and food for community care, and nobody here makes a dollar, everything goes back to the community.”