Salisbury Post Christmas Light Contest 2009
Awards
Carl Zachary's Christmas lights have rhythm  |
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| Rhythmic lights: Carl Zachary went high-tech to put up a display with lights that blink in rhythm. Submitted photo | ||||
By Holly Fesperman Lee
Salisbury Post
CHINA GROVE — Even before the Miller Lite commercial came out last year, Carl Zachary knew he wanted to make his Christmas lights blink in rhythm.
He checked on popular high -tech light show devices, but they were all too expensive and time-consuming.
In October he saw what he'd been looking for.
The Mr. Christmas Light Show Machine was featured on QVC, and Zachary knew he had to have it.
He set it up at his home at 810 Power St., along with 12,000 lights, 60 blow molds, and more.
Zachary said the machine controls only several spiral Christmas trees on his property, not his whole display.
It's not the accident-causing display featured on the Miller Lite display. "It's the poor man's version of that," he said.
The machine makes the lights on the Christmas trees dance to Christmas carol melodies. Zachary never gets tired of hearing the machine. "It doesn't bother me, I love Christmas music," he said.
Zachary has been decorating ever since he moved into his house four years ago, but this is his biggest year by far.
Last year his power bill was only about $60 higher than usual, but this year he has many more lights. "We'll see what it's going to be," he said.
About 85 to 90 percent of this year's decorations are new to the display. Zachary said he got most of the items at yard sales or after Christmas last year.
Zachary started decorating simply because he loves Christmas. "I try to decorate as nice as I can, and I just enjoy it," he said.
As for next year, "It all depends on what we find at yard sales," he said.
Contact Holly Lee at 704-797-7683 or hlee@salisburypost.com.
©2006, The Salisbury Post
