Watch how these synchronized Christmas Lights change to the music at the Lyons home in Hilliard.
There is a house in Hilliard that literally appears to dance during the holidays as its 60,000 lights move to Christmas music.
We took the drive to the house, set on a quiet dead end street near Hilliard Elementary School, and soon we were parked in a line of at least a dozen cars watching the show.
I had seen plenty of Christmas lights synchronized with music on TV and the Internet, but to see it in person is so much better. I knew it would be interesting — but I didn’t realize my eyes (and those of my 3-year-old) would be glued to the house for the full 30-minute set of songs.
The Lyons family does a beautiful job, and they do it without asking for a single penny of support.
“We don’t take donations. This is just something we do as a family,” Mrs. Lyons told me. “We love the Lord and this is our way to get that message out.”
Their set of songs by groups like Manheim Steamroller and the Trans Siberian Orchestra includes several religious Christmas songs, among others. There is a nativity and a cross in the display. There are also more Christmas trees than you can count. The 22-foot “Mega Tree” in their yard is flanked by 12-foot trees. The entire ground is covered in red and white lights, and there are rainbow-like arches.
The family has videos of the show on its website, HilliardLights.com.
Their most recent display had:
- 60,000 lights
- 400 computerized channels
- 22-foot Mega Tree with 19,000 lights and two 12-foot Mega Trees with 4500 lights each
- Christmas music broadcast on 95.7 FM
If you want to go:
Where: Intersection of 9th Avenue and Georgia Street, Hilliard, FL
When: Usually from Thanksgiving to New Year’s
Online: HilliardLights.com
Note: For safety, the family asks that you keep your parking lights turned on, but keep your headlights off so they don’t interfere with the lights show.
An American Flag and five lighted oak trees are among features in the Chapman family’s display in St. Marys.
In St. Marys, the Chapman family showed lights in downtown St. Marys for the fourth time in 2011.
We took the kids to see it, but they were fast asleep by the time we got there. Nevertheless, my husband and I enjoyed the show. This display is also set to music you can listen to on your radio.
According to the family’s website, they have 55,000 lights that move to 12 Christmas songs. The video on their website shows a wildly cool-looking big screen displaying images including a Santa who directs the music; that part was not going when we were there, but it was still a spectacular show. The display includes lights that cover five huge oak trees in the home’s yard, tons of Christmas trees and a large American Flag made of lights.
If you want to go:
Where: SE Corner of Dillingham and Ready streets, St. Marys, GA
When: Usually from Thanksgiving to New Year’s
Online: www.stmaryschristmas.com
Other Displays Worth Visiting
The Rothwell home on Diane Drive in Fernandina Beach is a winter wonderland of Christmas lights.
Rothwell home, 893 Diane Drive, Fernandina Beach
What: A wonderland of a display featuring thousands of lights and moving decorations, including a clock counting down the minutes to Christmas, Santas, snowmen and musical decorations. On weekends, “Santa” passes out candy canes.
Where: Corner of Diane Drive and S 14th Street, Fernandina Beach
Barnwell Road, Fernandina Beach
What: A large display of lights, including nativity scenes, ferris wheels and more.
Where: Barnwell Road. From State Road 200, head north at the Barnwell Road-State Road 200 intersection (at the traffic light by Lowe’s). You’ll see the lights to your right after about a quarter of a mile.
North Ridge Lane, Fernandina Beach
What: A whole street of homes that go all out with extensive Christmas lights and moving decorations. When we took my parents to visit this street, my father joked, “I didn’t know Chevy Chase lived in Fernandina Beach.”
Where: North Ridge Lane. From Sadler Road, head north on Citrona. Drive a tenth of a mile and North Ridge Lane will be on the right. You won’t be able to miss the lights.
Do you know of other great lights displays worth visiting in Camden or Nassau counties? Tell us about it in the comments section below, post it on the Mamamelia Facebook page or email us at info@mamamelia.com.
