Light Christmas

House so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?

By Emily Lutz

Photos courtesy of Rick Hilyard

On the first of October, Rick Hilyard is already preparing his house for Christmas. His synchronized light show has become a staple of the community, but it takes dedication to make the season shine.

“It’s just me that puts it on,” he says. “Just me. One crazy person putting up all the lights.”

Hilyard may have lost count of how many lights he puts up each year, but he knows the show is getting bigger and better and the responsibility is all his. Each year, preparations for the lights take Hilyard around five weeks. All the effort is more than worth it, though.

Hilyard’s Christmastime passion initially started at Halloween. He’d created a haunted house in his garage for neighborhood kids to enjoy during trick or treat that incorporated computer programs and animatronics. Interest in his house grew enough to encourage Hilyard to bring the technology out for Christmas.

The impressive light display at 649 Old Coach Rd. is no secret to neighbors and rumors of its notoriety spread through Columbus and beyond. While this means many natives are familiar with the show, Hilyard makes sure there’s something new each year.

Hilyard started with two controllers and 15,000 lights. Since then, the display has become a year-round passion. The possibilities for a light show have grown as well.

“Technology has changed to where you can do much more with one lightbulb,” Hilyard says.

Hilyard notes the improved capabilities of bulbs for handling light and the emergence of online communities that provide resources to improve his show. Hilyard even had a Zoom call with enthusiasts in Australia who helped to assist with a technical issue in last year’s show.

Holiday entertainment isn’t the only thing Dazzling Lights

The Westerville holiday will begin in earnest on Dec. 3 with multiple ways to celebrate.

First, Otterbein University’s tree lighting will kick off the festivities at 5:30 p.m. Later, the City of Westerville will host its own tree lighting at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 21 S. State St. Following both lightings, the Westerville Symphony will present Sounds of the Season at Otterbein’s Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St. Other holiday events to save the date for include the Rudolph Run 5K on Dec. 5, Holiday Fun Weekend in Uptown Westerville Dec. 10-11 and the Otterbein Cemetery’s Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec. 18.

provides. Hilyard uses the opportunity to give back to the community by collecting canned goods for Westerville Area Resource Ministry. Visitors are encouraged to bring a couple canned items to donate. He says the show collects about 3,000 pounds of food each year.

The light show can also be a powerful means of spreading the joy and kindness associated with the holiday season.

One year, Hilyard was shown the extraordinary impact Dazzling Lights is able to have on visitors. A family from Marysville had heard about the show and made the trip with their hearing impaired daughter. His show allowed her to have a holiday experience unlike any she’d previously experienced.

“This was the way for her to experience the music, because the lights are choreographed with the music,” Hilyard says. “She could feel the bass and visualize it with the show.”

After witnessing the effect of the show on the young girl, Hilyard took the opportunity to increase the connection between music and visuals in his display. He added singing trees and lightbulbs to Dazzling Lights to serve as further visual aid for the hearing impaired.

The opportunity to hear stories from his visitors has compelled Hilyard to regularly stand outside and interact with the crowds attracted to the light show. Hilyard has met people from Europe, Africa and Asia outside his home. He often hands out candy canes while talking with visitors.

“I’m just a guy putting up Christmas lights and maybe I’m bringing some joy to someone who needed it,” he says.

The show begins the day after Thanksgiving and continues nightly, weather permitting. Sunday through Thursday, the lights run from 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday the show continues from 6-11 p.m. Visitors can set their car radio to 90.1 FM to listen to music synchronized with the show.

Emily Lutz is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.

Live close and live well!

Next door to St. Paul The Apostle in Westerville • Generous Move-In Specials • • Highly designed floor plans still available! •

INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE

Rest easy and enjoy all The Gables of Westerville has to offer from all-day restaurant-style dining, personalized care, transportation services and much more. We work hard to make sure our residents live well and thrive in our beautiful brand-new senior living community.

Please call (614)918-0050 for your private tour. We are located at: 131 Moss Rd., Westerville, Ohio 43082 gablesofwesterville.com