It’s been a month’s work of decking the halls, doors, roof, lawn, bushes, trees and more at the DuPlessis house in Burnaby.
Joel DuPlessis has turned his home at 8222 Burnlake Dr., near the Brighton Avenue Costco, into a festive extravaganza with lights, ornaments and whimsical characters including penguins, polar bears, Charlie Brown, Olaf from Frozen, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse in a tropical scene alongside a ski-jumping reindeer.
DuPlessis has been decorating his home, first in East Vancouver and now in Burnaby, for more than 35 years.
He takes four weeks off from his job as an electrical technologist at BC Hydro to engineer the display.
DuPlessis described himself as “a MacGyver kind of person.”
“This has been kind of my hobby for a long time … I just like to figure things out.”
DuPlessis’ favourite feature of the display this year is the 23-foot Christmas tree of lights, which houses another tree inside with 32 strings of lights on pulley systems.
“It’s kind of a beacon of the display,” DuPlessis told the NOW.
Younger kids will enjoy the characters around the display, especially the various Santa Clauses.
The sparkling lights are synchronized to a 12-minute music show. You can listen in to it on the curbside, or through your car radio at 92.3 FM.
In the future, DuPlessis is working to update the light technology to get brighter lights with pixels and moving to a newer sound system.
His family helps him with the display as needed. DuPlessis said his wife will send him photos when she sees decorations on sale. His friends help out with the heavier objects, like the 23-foot tree.
The family is collecting donations for B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation at the display’s on-site drop box or online through their website. Last year, the family raised more than $12,300, according to their website.
DuPlessis said the hospital has helped children in his family over the years.
“And then, of course, Christmas is about kids. … I know it’s about all of us, but in the end, it’s the spirit of Christmas and the children,” he said.
The show runs daily from 4:30 p.m. to midnight until Jan. 6, 2023.
