Christmas light lover ramps up his game

Every year, Derek Durkac aims to make the light display at his New Sudbury home bigger and better.

Last year, he installed 10,600 lights, but has boosted that to 15,000 this year. The display is connected to a “Mr. Christmas” device, which pulses the lights in time to a medley of Christmas music, which plays over a speaker system.

“In January, Target was selling Christmas lights for 90 per cent off, and there I was with two shopping carts full of lights,” Durkac said in an email to NorthernLife.ca.

“My wife, Stacey, says I am addicted to Christmas lights. I made four Christmas light arches. Each arch consists of 800 lights, adding up to 3,200 colourful lights.

“I also made three coro snowflakes consisting of 100 white lights for each snowflake. This year I also added lights to the ridges of my rooftop consisting of about 800 lights and 300 blue icicle lights.”

Durkac's Christmas light display isn't just a passion — it also supports a good cause. He asks everyone who views the display to donate a non-perishable food item to the Sudbury Food Bank. A box is set up at the end of his driveway.

The display, located at 1225 Woodbine Ave. in New Sudbury, is operational from 6-9 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday until Dec. 21. There will also be special appearance from Santa Claus Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.