Timothy and Grace Gay, residents of Union Vale, have proudly held the Guinness World Record for the most lights on a residential property since 2014. This festive display for the current year features more than 720,000 lights artfully synchronized with music

The Gays’ holiday tradition began modestly with a mere 600 lights on two trees by their front steps. Over time, the display evolved, and this year’s spectacle includes 40 miles of lights and 8 miles of extension cords. Establishing this intricate design is a significant undertaking, demanding three months of dedication from the Gay family. Every light is meticulously synchronized to music using a computer program, with the support of 108 distinct outdoor light controllers, all wirelessly connected to a computer inside the house.

The small town, with a population of approximately 4,500, experiences an annual influx of 50,000 to 100,000 visitors who come to witness the dazzling light show. While the atmosphere is filled with joy, not all residents share the same level of enthusiasm. Some express discontent due to the heightened traffic resulting from the influx of thousands of visitors.

Lead Constable George Treadwell acknowledges the challenge, stating, “We’re trying to get everybody [to] enjoy themselves, but we’re trying to keep the road open for the residents who live here. It’s a neighborhood so they don’t see this kind of traffic except for this time of the year.”

Amid the concerns, the Gays emphasize that the festive display serves a charitable purpose. Over the past three decades, they’ve collected over $665,000 for charity from visitors, with a significant portion benefiting children’s organizations.

Tim Gay reflects on the balance between traffic inconveniences and the charitable impact, saying, “It does create traffic, obviously. So I weighed, ‘OK, raising money for childhood cancer and homeless children to put up with a little traffic for a few nights.’ So, I kind of weigh towards the children.”