The address 123 Violet St., has become synonymous with Christmastime in the city.
It's that time of year when the south-end Barrie home becomes the place to be for the Christmas spirit. Onlookers come by every night to see the lights and music display that has become a Barrie staple.
Dino Sangiuliano, the man behind the festive house, said he never thought it would get this popular.
“I never imagined that we would have the street and sidewalk lined with people taking video and pictures and making it a part of their Christmas tradition,” Sangiuliano told BarrieToday. “The day I’m going to have my launch, there are people waiting for sometimes an hour.
"It is very humbling and I am so happy to make others happy.”
Sangiuliano’s Northern Lites Show, the name he’s given the month-long display, contains over 30,000 lights that are in sync with music that those watching can hear when they tune into 92.7 FM.
While the event has been going on for over 10 years, Sangiuliano has been accepting donations in a box outside the house and online for the last four years.
Last year, the donation box was stolen, but has since been rigged with a huge cable and an ear-piercing alarm to deter any Grinch who looks to spoil Christmas.
Sangiuliano also empties the box nightly so there is nothing inside.
Last year, he raised $1,600 and this year is hoping to send the Make A Wish Foundation $2,000 and thinks that people will give and make that happen.
“At the beginning, it’s a bit slow, but as we get closer to Christmas Day it picks up. I think probably folks are getting into the giving spirit,” said Sangiuliano. “I always give 100% of the donations to the Make A Wish Foundation and truthfully I am entitled to keep my operating costs, but I haven’t.
"The only day I use some of the money is opening day to cover the costs of the fireworks, because they cost a fortune, but that hadn’t even covered a little of it, so no biggie," he added. "It's just really fun for me and everyone else.”
The planning starts in June and the displays begin to get set up around Thanksgiving, but was a little later this year because of the snowfall Barrie got. However, Sangiuliano says he is very thankful to his friends and neighbours for lending a hand.
Between a years-old back injury and diabetes causing issues for him, Sangiuliano says this year was harder than most for getting the decorations up, but he had lots of help from neighbours who love the display.
“I’ve heard people joke about how my neighbours must hate my passion, but they love it and many helped me a great deal over the years,” said Sangiuliano. “Over the years, I’ve heard one complaint online about the many people on the street, but that was a while ago and I always have a voice-over announcement reminding folks to mindful of others and stay to the side and keep their headlights off, and they do.”
Sangiuliano won’t say how much the whole thing costs, but admits it isn’t cheap and answers the one question everyone has when they hear about the lights display.
“The hydro cost really isn’t that bad,” said Sangiuliano. “I am happy, of course, that the rates have gone down, but overall it isn’t too bad.”
The lights show happens every night starting at 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the month of December and also continues at request afterwards.
For more information, visit here.
