People of all ages gathered to watch the lights and sounds dance and sing as Jerry Frank and family unveiled their winter wonderland for the 13th year in a row. Jeannette Benoit-Leipert Meridian Source
Jerry Frank said the foundation for Lights and Sounds of Christmas was sparked by his son, who took the initiative to put up some decorations while they were away.
Who knew, 13 years later it would be a Christmas tradition for so many local families and an excellent fundraiser for Lloydminster non-profit organizations.
“We were gone and my son decided to decorate the house, so he put a bunch of stuff on. And then we thought, well it’s time to do that again, and I got inspired by a YouTube video … They had a really cool display and it was all synchronized to the music and everything,” explained Frank.
“So I said ‘ok, well let’s give it a try.’ And then it’s been crazy ever since.”
This year the funds raised are going to the Lloydminster Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the local Salvation Army food bank, and the Gift of Christmas.
Frank said he loves to see other families come out and enjoy the light display, which covers the front of their home at 5704 30 St., as well as the entire back yard. There are donation boxes set up on site
“A couple of years ago, we were standing at the kitchen sink, and you hear people coming up the driveway and into the backyard and they’re like ‘WOW!’,” said Frank.
But not only is it an amazing sight, it also sounds amazing, as the lights flash in sync with an ever-growing collection of Christmas music.
“I do all the programming and stuff. I try to add at least one new song every year. This year we’ve added Let It Go,” said Frank.
He says he estimates it takes about 250-300 man hours to set everything up and that it’s mostly himself and his family who put in the time, along with some local high school students who can log the work as volunteer hours.
When asked if they ever experienced another launch night without snow, Frank said there was one a few years back but it didn’t put a damper on Christmas spirit.
“It was actually worse because it had snowed but then it all melted, so everything was just wet,” Frank explained.
“And so we actually had to lay straw down in that first area, because otherwise it was just mud and somebody would’ve wiped out for sure.”
At the launch, he also gave a shout out to some local businesses who help make it all possible.
“The Musgrave group of companies, for helping us with a place to store all the lights and displays during the off-season. Dave and the team at the new Canadian Tire in Lloydminster for partnering with us this year and helping us with some of the special displays in the backyard.
“Dwayne and the gang at Home Depot Lloydminster for their generous support. TJ’s Pizza, Safeway, and Sticks and Stones Renos and Handyman Services for the pizza, cookies, treats and hot chocolate, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters for volunteering tonight.”
The show runs every night until Jan. 6, from 5-10 p.m., with the backyard opening around 4:30 each night. To hear the music that accompanies the light show, tune in to 99.5 fm.
You can find them on Facebook at Lights & Sounds of Christmas.Lloydminster, and on Instagram @lightsandsoundsofchristmas.
