News

See local homes featuring 250,000 lights synchronized to music

ALPHARETTA, Ga.,None — Where's the best place to see Christmas lights in the Atlanta area?

Nelson's News on wsbtv.com listed some of the top local attractions to see Christmas lights last week. That list includes Lake Lanier Islands, the Atlanta Motor Speedway and Life University. Check out the list by clicking here.

Today, wsbtv.com takes a closer look at some of the top private homes offering a musical synchronized show. The Atlanta With Kid blog lists some of the top spots.

The second-ranked private home offering a musical synchronized show according to Atlanta With Kid blog is Mint Julep Christmas. It won Georgia Power's 2008 Holiday Decorating Content and features about 50,000 lights using 160 channels of computerized controllers. The entire show features more than 20 songs and lasts about an hour. It also serves as a fundraiser for the Sibley Heart Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Mint Julep Christmas is located at 311 Julep Court in Alpharetta.

Here's a small sample of what visitors will see and hear.

http://bcove.me/pl2pzgq5

The third-ranked private home is listed as Christmas at the Stacks. Their display features 75,000 lights and as with the other homes, visitors can tune their car radios to a certain channel to hear the music the lights are paired with. Donations benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Christmas at the Stack's is located at  811 Locust Grove Court in Alpharetta.

Here's a small sample of what visitors will see and hear.

http://bcove.me/yegja5ht

Tops on the list is Christmas in Cumming. It's actually several homeowners on one street who have teamed up to create one amazing show. Nelson's News visited the homes last year. Larry Drum, Brian Todd and Chris Hoard are three of the homeowners on Bryn Ridge Court. Drum started the trend six years ago. A neighbor or two has joined in every few years since. The entire display features more than 250,000 lights.

"It takes you back to that whole 'Christmas Vacation' movie and that one neighbor on your block that everybody looks at and says we can't wait for him to turn his lights on to see what it looks like," Byrn Court homeowner Chris Hoard said describing Drum's house.

"In the beginning, Larry (Drum) had a computerized lights show and I had just regular lights on the house," Todd said. "Tucker, my son, kept asking me why doesn't our house blink like Larry's. After talking to Larry and kind of putting a plan together, we got incorporated into the show and so our house blinks just like Larry's along with the songs, and my boys love it."

The Christmas in Cumming display also serves as a fundraiser for Family Haven. The nonprofit's mission is to aid violence victims. Family Haven provides a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, food, clothing and counseling services.

Other homes to make the top 10 list include homes in Kennesaw, Canton, Gainesville, Lawrenceville, Douglasville and Decatur. Click on Atlanta With Kid to see the full list.

Here is the story from Nelson's News on wsbtv.com from last year on Christmas in Cumming. Please note, the story mentions a concert scheduled for later this month. That was last year.