Homes compete in Festival of Lights
It’s Christmas time and the Harvey Bowler Festival of Lights is under way around the Horowhenua.
The house of Judy and Roland Timpson on Lancaster St is just one of 17 competing. They say they do it each year for the enjoyment of both themselves and the community.
The Timpsons have been doing this for about 12 years, but Judy said lights around the house for Christmas was a family tradition. She remembers when she was a child she would go to bed at six and when she woke in the morning the tree and house would be decorated.
Last year the Timpsons used 20,000 lights, and their Santa turned blue for a change because red lights were hard to get. They estimate they replace over 2000 lights each year, and in their experience LED lights do not last much longer than ordinary lights.
Each year the lights must be zip-tied to frames. Judy said it’s just another trip to Bunnings, and they have become familiar with the staff over the years. They’d already been in four times this year alone.
The couple have two sheltie dogs and their alter egos feature in lights in the lawn alongside their driveway. They replicate the personalities of the real dogs. One has its leg up and the other is stock still, staring with a stocking hanging out its mouth. The shelties are the Timpsons’ favourite light arrangement.
This year 17 businesses have also signed up for a Christmas window display, some designed to be admired in the daytime, some with lights so they lihgt up the window after dark.