Here are two things that separate us Pittsburghers from the savages in the rest of the country. One, we know for a fact that any food can be made better by putting fries on top. And two, we still take the time to string up hundreds of lights aro und our houses at Christmastime.
(I'm going to skip the political correctness here of calling this "The Holiday Season." Let's face it, 99.99 percent of the lights you see on houses are Christmas lights, although I suppose a few souls are celebrating Sparkle Season.)
Where I come from (Monroeville, to be precise), you weren't judged by your car, or your grades, or the number of times you went to the mall that week. No, friend, you were judged by the quality of your Christmas light display. (At least that's what I hoped you were judged by -- cause frankly my car and grades both stunk.)
It was the one place where my family was Number One.
Dad took (and takes) a lot of pride in the ol' family light display. Never mind the fact that you could use the light to land an airplane in our back yard, or that our electric bill could've fed a third world nation, or that the neighbors took to wearing sunglasses.
No, by golly, what mattered was that this was holiday tradition, by gum -- and we stuck to it. Except for that one year during the Carter administration when we (the whole country, not just my family), were urged not to put up Christmas lights, and we obliged. It was rough.
I am puzzled by one thing, though. Does it seem to anybody else that people have their lights up -- and burning -- extra-early this year? We usually waited until about two weeks before Christmas, but I saw more than a few houses lit up two nights before Thanksgiving. Maybe the malls are right and the Holiday Season starts right after the kiddos head back to school.
But I digress. What I'm really here to talk about this week is our fantabulous Christmas Light Contest. Here's how it works. (And yes, I'll actually follow through on it, unlike our water fountain contest this past summer -- which is going to be revived at some point if it's the last thing I ever do.)
Simply email me with the location of your favorite residential light display. It can be yours, if that's your favorite, or somebody else's. What we're looking for here are the displays that, well, it just wouldn't be the Holidays if you didn't see them.
Winners will be picked in the following categories:
So that's your mission, everybody. Keep your eyes peeled, let me know when you see a great display, and we'll get this thing rolling.
And oh yes -- there will be prizes, and for once they'll actually be worthwhile.
What makes a good Christmas light display? Where are the best lights to be found?
(Following are the responses that this column got)
I HATE LIGHT OF ANY KIND -- THE HATER (136.142.22.132)
Come view the lights of the University of Pittsburgh Tower A facing along forbes avenue this holiday season. -- Clarence Gornit (130.49.71.41)
Lijomi -- let me know when they're up & I'll go give 'em a look. -- Bob (209.166.133.16)
I would like to know when you will be looking at the houses. We do alot of light decorating and are still putting them up. Is there a specific date? -- lijomi (165.232.116.104)
Please view the lights at 6206 Freeport Road, Freeport, PA 16229 Corner of 908 and Freeport Road (Freeport, Millerstown Road Exit off of Route 28 North) My son said " It's like a winter wonderland", the lights are absolutely incredible. -- JSkeba@aol.com (209.114.171.84)
i think that my neighboors have so many things on there lawn and it looks very nice to see it and i think that you should take a picture of the house -- alexis109 (24.1.42.89)