A Christmas Light Celebration

From illuminated Christmas trees singing cheerful carols to reindeer gallivanting across the roof, one Ayr house has once again enthralled the Burdekin with a festive light display.

After a successful Halloween light display and street party, Leon McCormack and Jeff Lunn spent every weekend and each evening after work throughout the month of November setting up for Christmas.

The lights will be up for the rest of December with a Christmas Light Celebration coming up on December 23 and 24.

“It’s a festive thing to do and people enjoy it,” Leon said.

“It’s a good way to meet people.

“We sit out here most evenings and hand out candy canes.

“After handing out candy canes, we got into handing out popcorn, snow cones and fairy floss.”

Leon and Jeff have been setting up Christmas lights every year for the last 17 years, adding to the display with each set up.

“We just started small with a few lights in the windows and, each year, we’ve added a little bit more,” Leon said.

“Actually, we’ve probably added a lot more each year,” he laughed.

Starting with only lights, they decided to add music five years later, with a playlist of festive tunes synchronised to the light display.

“Each of the songs is set up on a sequence in a program called Light-O-Rama,” Leon said.

“The Light-O-Rama control boxes are what run everything.

“We’ve got an SD card with the sequences on it and the MP3s with all the synchronisation with the lights on the card.”

The end result is an audio-visual spectacle that delights locals and visitors alike, these Facebook comments sharing appreciation for Leon and Jeff’s hard work.

“Jeff and Leon, the community get so much joy from these amazing displays, thank you!” one person wrote.

“I love those guys … what a way to bring in the Christmas season,” wrote another.

For Leon and Jeff, Christmas is a time to wind down and appreciate.

“It’s a good time of the year to reflect on community, slow down and catch up with people,” Leon said.

His message to the community is to “have a very happy, joyous and merry Christmas.”

It’s also a time to get in the car and appreciate other light displays around the region, something they got the chance to do earlier in the month.

“It’s good to see what other people are doing and how they’re getting into it; there’s a few good ones around,” Leon said.

“We always like to encourage other people who are getting into it, because every little bit helps bring some festive spirit.”

Popcorn, snow cones, fairy floss and a sausage sizzle will be available at the Christmas Light Celebration, where a visit from Santa is likely, from 7:00pm on December 23 and 24, on the corner of Edwards and Darwin Streets.

While you’re out and about, make sure to check out the amazing light displays throughout the Burdekin.

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Christmas Light Displays In The Burdekin

Ayr

Albert Cres

Albert St

Brisbane St

Chippendale St

Clayton St

Clements St

Cox St

Darwin St

Hoey St

Ida Ct

Kilrie Road (1.5km up)

King St

Lando St

Lawson St

Lisa Dr

Melbourne St

Methodist Ln

Munro St

Paine St

Parker St

Patricia St

Ross St

Rovert St

Sydney St

Wilmington St

Home Hill

First St

Second Ave

10th Ave

14a Street

14th Ave

Brandon

Bowling Green St

Drysdale St

Sexton Hwy

Toll St

Visit Burdekin on Facebook for more information

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Jeff Lunn and Leon McCormack have been setting up Christmas lights for 17 years

Jack, Jeff and Leon handing out snow cones at a recent Christmas Display Celebration

Their display can be found on the corner of Edwards and Darwin Streets

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