Standing in front of Lopez’s house, squinting at the blinding array of Christmas lights, one could only question: When does the Holiday Spirit Cross the Line?
Every inch of the house is covered in lights that shine brighter than the sun. The lights twinkle and dance in every Christmas color, creating a site similar to the “North Pole”. In the front of the glowing home there even is a stand filled with dangling candy canes for neighbors to take.
Ray Lopez started putting these lights up when he bought the house back in 2006. Each year the amount of lights has grown.
“I try to add at least one new display each year,” said Lopez.
There are approximately 25,000 lights outside the Lopez house.
“I have always loved Christmas and all the magic that comes with it” stated Lopez, “I remember seeing a house on my street when I was a little kid. I always thought to myself that I would do something like that when I had my own house.”
The Lopez family received a card in their mailbox from an anonymous family explaining how much they look forward to driving by their house every year that it became part of their family’s Christmas tradition.
“Receiving that card meant so much to me. I think about that family and those kids each year while I’m decorating,” said Lopez. “This motivated me even more to make sure there is one new special element for them to see.”
Lopez’s favorite part of the decorating process is the roof.
“It is not a common thing to see this many lights on the roof of a house, especially the Santa on the peak of the roof.”
Prospect holds a Christmas Decorating Light Contest each year. The Lopez’s house has entered the contest for the last four years and they have won at least one category each year.
This year Prospect is not holding a light contest which was upsetting for the Lopez family as well as the other beautifully decorated houses in the little town.
“It’s a shame Prospect isn’t holding the contest but that’s okay,” said Lopez. “For our family, it’s about seeing cars drive by our house and know that maybe our home is giving them a little joy and putting them in the Christmas spirit.”
