While the holidays can usually bring out the best in people, it can also bring out the worst. A New York family with the record for the most lights on a residential property has introduced their biggest Christmas display yet but some neighbors aren’t thrilled.
Tim Gay and his family reside in Union Vale, New York, and become the Guinness World Record holders for the most lights on a residential property with 346,283 Christmas lights in 2012. They have since smashed their record, with the latest version of the ERDAJT Holiday Lights Display — named for his children’s initials — now donning 720,427 lights.
The incredible Christmas display has brought many people to the neighborhood, which has begun to irritate some neighbors as the bright lights and long lines of cars have become a hassle. Edward J. Kasche announced plans to run for a seat on the town board to try to reign in the holiday tradition. “It’s essentially running a Legoland out of your property for 40 days,” Kasche said.
Some other nearby residents have also complained of the crowds leaving their yards littered with discarded alcohol bottles and trash. Human urine has even been spotted on occasion.
Town Supervisor Betsy C. Maas said there are no local ordinances giving the town the power to stop the annual display. Officials also have no current plans to reign in the display. “Are you going to be the one to get rid of Santa?” Maas said.
Gay said he isn’t concerned about the Scrooges of the world trying to shut down all the fun. “If you bring joy and happiness to 50,000 people, and you have 10 or 20 don’t like you, I think that’s a fair trade-off,” he said.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/realestate/christmas-lights-world-record-ny.html