Christmas display features 44,000 lights
Santa makes debut on Saturday, Dec. 4
WEST CALN » For Gary Habermann, Christmas is all about the kids.
For the 25th straight year, one of the largest and brightest Christmas light displays is back, with 44,000 lights, 135 holiday yard decorations, including inflatables, and even free popcorn for all guests.
“It warms my heart to see the kids come around and just enjoy themselves,” said Habermann, whose display sits at the corner of Meadow View Drive and Route 340 near the Wagontown Fire House. “This is all for the people. It’s about being able to go out and see something without having to pay a fortune. We just want people to enjoy it, that’s the bottom line.”
Santa will make his debut at the Habermann’s light display on Dec. 4 and will return on Dec. 18. On the property, there’s a mailbox for kids to drop off letters to Santa. Letters with return addresses will be personally answered by Santa, and postage paid by the Habermann family. Habermann’s neighbors enjoy playing the role of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Last year, during the pandemic, “Santa” answered 150 letters. If a little brother or sister was mentioned in the letter, Santa even sends out a personal letter to them as well.
The lights come on at 5 a.m. every night and go off at midnight. Habermann said he expects to keep his display up at least until the first week of January.
“People love it,” Habermann said. “We’ve never had a complaint.”
On a Friday or Saturday night, up to 70 people can be seen milling about, taking in the display. Habermann said that last year, a group of 15 people started singing Christmas carols in his front yard.
“It really puts you in the mood,” he said.
New this year will be 3D
glasses that will be handed out free to visitors to give a unique perspective to all of the lights.
An estimated 150 million light sets are sold in America each year. They light 80 million homes and consume 6 percent of the nation’s electrical load each December.
Habermann said his monthly electric bill runs about $250 per month, but in December it jumps to $1,400. Habermann said he is not worried about the electric bill. He just wants to see those smiles on the children’s faces.
“It’s all worth it,” he said. “This is special for the kids.”