Since the beginning of September, Chuck Greason spent every spare moment wiring.
Then rewiring.
Then wiring some more.
By Thanksgiving night, Greason?s backyard was a glittering winter wonderland. OK, more like the Vegas Strip.
“I?m having the electric company come to put in another box,” Gleason said.
Greason said 47,000 bulbs adorn his home at the end of Parkton?s Kitzbuhel Road, his decks, front and back lawns. Set to Christmas carols Greason pipes from his modest rancher, a glowing seal spins a ball on his nose, 3-foot candles light walkways and a fluorescent star keeps watch over animated deer. Nine reindeer pull a neon Santa Claus over the roof.
That one, Greason said, might be his all-time favorite. It dates to the days when he still lived with his folks.
“I?ve been looking to replace that for years, and I just couldn?t,” Greason said. “There are so many things I can?t get rid of, so I finally rewired everything to make it work.”
This year?s display boasts 5,000 more lights than last year, plus a new manger Greason built himself with hand-painted ceramic figurines. But as always, Greason still places a trash can at the top of his driveway, where visitors can place “admission” fees of canned food, which Greason donates to the Maryland Food Bank.
He emptied it last week and donated six full trash bags and expects to take another two next week.
Greason encourages visitors to park and walk around his yard ? he hates when people miss the displays in the back. He also routinely invites groups of visitors inside to check out his collection of Santa Clauses and model train sets.
And the electric bill?
“Well it didn?t stop me, but it made me think,” he said. “Let?s put it that way.”
IF YOU GO:
» Where: 22 Kitzbuhel Road, Parkton
» When: Between 5 p.m. and midnight, through Jan. 15
» Cost: Canned food donation
