Around 50,000 lights and a number of inflatables were chosen by a nine-member panel as this year's Light Up The Island contest winner. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

LIGHT UP THE ISLAND

VIDEO: 50,000 lights ensures Nanaimo house shines extra bright for the holiday season

Dec 23, 2021 | 12:54 PM

NANAIMO — Regardless of the weather, or how effective Rudolph’s nose is on Christmas Eve night, Santa should have no issues finding the Martin family again this year.

Their home at 650 St. George St., near Terminal Park shopping centre, features a massive light display which has evolved over the last decade. It originally started small with some basic decorations on the roof.

“Last year we counted and there were about 50,000 lights, something like that and we’ve definitely added more this year and we add more every year,” Kellie Martin told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Kellie (left) and Casey (centre) Martin receive their $250 gas card from Paul Robson at Nanaimo Honda. The Martin’s were chosen as the winners of the 2021 Light Up The Island contest. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Her daughter Casey is the driving force behind the display, which involves months of planning and weeks of putting the lights up.

crisis intervention

Vancouver Island Crisis Society executive director honoured with service award

58m ago

plants on plants

New Nanaimo 'mini forest' believed to be first of its kind on Vancouver Island

May 19, 2024

just keep swimming

'I'm celebrating the little things:' Nanaimo water polo player returning to the pool

May 18, 2024

Their labour of love leads to continuous positive comments from neighbours and people walking by.

“We get people coming by just before Remembrance Day, asking us when we’re going to be putting them and when they’re going to be turned on,” Kellie said. “At night, we get the tours that come by, the limos that come by, it’s quite nice.”

She added it’s not uncommon to see people in their front yard, or even sitting on the front porch, to take pictures.

The Martin’s house on St. George St. near Terminal Park is difficult to miss for those driving by. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

New to this year’s display is extra space on the left of the home where the family moved a truck which was parked to offer up more frontage.

They began installing all the lights on Nov. 12, with the official flick of the switch coming on Dec. 2.

Martin added the bump in their Hydro bill isn’t overly noticable given all the lights are LED.

NanaimoNewsNOW’s interactive Christmas Lights Map, presented this year by Nanaimo Honda, is available here.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW