‘Extreme’ Christmas decoration enthusiasts excited to unveil this year’s display to public
FATHER-SON DUO RAISING FUNDS FOR AIR AMBULANCE
A PAIR of “extreme” Christmas decoration enthusiasts from Hibaldstow are hoping to leave people in awe with their latest display.
Ross Carrick, 27, first started collecting a range of decorations with his dad David around 17 years ago. Ever since, the pair have heavily decorated David’s house on Woods Meadow every holiday season with a vast array of festive lights and ornaments.
The displays draw a considerable amount of attention from the local community each year as thousands purposely drive by to check out their creations.
The father-son duo will be unveiling this year’s display on Friday, December 2, and are hoping to raise a sum for a local charity at the same time.
BBC Radio Lincolnshire presenter Ross said he’s driven by memories of “Christmas house hunting” around the borough, where he and his dad drove around in search of the houses with the best decorations. While he admits that this is a little “old school” now, he is still keen to carry on bringing the holiday spirit to the local area.
“All ages love it but the children particularly go crazy for it,” he told Grimsby Live. This year’s display will be Ross and David’s first in two years as they decided not to do it over the course of the pandemic as they felt it would be encouraging people to leave their houses.
Before taking a break from their much-loved hobby, Ross said that his father’s driveway used to be filled with people eager to see what they had done. “There’s usually an unbelievable turnout, particularly at weekends,” he continued.
Due to the on-going cost of living crisis, the holiday enthusiast admits that this year’s display has been scaled back a bit. The lights used to be switched on every day throughout December, but this year they will only be on during Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
“I’m surprised my dad has gone for it this year with energy prices the way they are,” added Ross. “We have started using energy saving bulbs though, you’ve got to be sensible about these things.”
As crowds are expected to flock to the light show, the Carricks are hoping to use the opportunity to raise some money for Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance. “The air ambulance is something that could touch anybody at any time and what they do is amazing and to think that they need support is ridiculous,” said Ross. There will be donation buckets placed outside the house for anyone who is wanting to make a donation.
Ross and David’s incredible light display will be on show between 4pm and 9pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from December 2. Be sure to head down to Water Meadow in Hibaldstow to see it for yourself.