A couple who lives in a modest single-story house in Southwest Roanoke County have decorated their home with an eye-catching display of Christmas lights that is a must see.
Terry and Sharon Reed have about 60,000 lights outside their home, roughly double the number of their outdoor Halloween display, which checks in at about 30,000 lights.
The Reeds have been decorating their home for years. The home was purchased in February 1991, just before they got married that year.
Terry graduated from William Fleming High. He later earned a biology degree from Roanoke College and works as a supervisor for a local manufacturer. Aside from outdoor decorations, his hobbies include gardening, trout fishing and softball.
“We started 33 years ago and just gradually added onto it,” said Terry, 60. “The first year, we just had lights down the gutter, and slowly we’ve added more. We started getting serious about 20 years ago.”
The lighted house has been featured on newscasts of WDBJ (Channel 7) and WSLS (Channel 10), but it’s been awhile, Terry said.
It roughly takes him 160 hours to put up the Christmas display, on top of the 50 to 60 hours it takes him to install the Halloween display. It is quite the workout.
Terry said this year he lost about five to six pounds during the installation.
“It’s tedious when you’re spending time installing those conduits,” he said. “I was out here at 9:30 some nights wearing a headlamp, with falling snowflakes.”
The spectacular light display can be seen at 3802 Colony Lane and is visible from quite a distance. The home sits on half an acre that’s behind the shopping center across Electric Road from Fink’s Jewelers. And after dark, their holiday display is hard to miss for drivers heading west from Tanglewood.
This is what you can expect to see if you're in the neighborhood:
10 lighted deer (down from 20, because the lights keep burning out).
Dozens of red-and-white candy canes that surround their front yard.
118 artificial trees (including three weeping willows).
Eight or nine snowmen (all but one of which are lighted).
Multiple blowups (including the ever-popular Santa emerging from an outhouse).
Three penguins, at least six other Santas, one igloo; a number of animals, angels, a sparkling Christmas train, a Grinch, a Snoopy and a campfire scene.
A rooftop rigged so the lights spell “CHRISTmas.”
And, a complete manger scene which the couple amassed over three years by stalking after-holiday sales at Walmart.
The Reeds will have their lights on display until after the New Year, but for those who won't get the chance to see them in person, click on the video below to take a peek.
Source: Roanoke News