'Most magical time of year,': Sydney, N.S., resident's intricate Christmas display becomes holiday attraction

Decorating houses with Christmas lights and displays is a popular way to get into the holiday spirit, but one house in Sydney, N.S., is sure to stick out from the rest.

Peter Mombourquette’s home on Churchill Drive has become a Christmas attraction for Sydney residents looking to take in the holidays.

“For our family, Christmas is the most magical time of year,” said Mombourquette.

“We started collecting our display approximately 45 years ago and we accumulated a number of items, we probably have over 1,000 lights,”

While it’s sure to catch eyes in the daytime, the real show begins when it gets dark outside.

“In the daytime, there’s a certain degree of magic but the real magic happens when darkness sets in and all the lights come on and all the merriment begins, then people can begin to see Christmas and the real meaning of it,” said Mombourquette.

Mombourquette begins working on the Christmas display right after Halloween, as it can often take up to six weeks to complete to job.

“This display takes a lot of power, so you can find me with many different cords,” he said.

“I also had to put 12 outside outlets on my garage and I also have 12 outside outlets on my home.”

Powering all the lights comes at a cost too.

“Originally it was pretty reasonable but now it might cost me around $1,000 in the month of December and a couple weeks of January,” he said.

Mombourquette said he hopes to continue spreading holiday cheer as long as he can.

“I’d like to continue this tradition as long as I can in memory of my wife and also bring some joy to the children, he said.

“Also, if you see it at the front of my display I have the Nativity scene, which is the real meaning of Christmas, and maybe that display can bring them back to understand and realize why we celebrate Christmas.”

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