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Professional or homemade, light displays bring twinkle to holiday season

By Jon Andreassi 4 min read

Eye-catching lights are a staple of the Christmas season, and there are multiple spots in the region where families can enjoy next-level holiday displays.

For the full experience of driving through a jolly trail of lights, there is Overly’s Country Christmas in Greensburg.

Located at 116 Blue Ribbon Road, Greensburg, at Overly’s a carload of up to eight people can drive through the light show for $25. Overly’s Facebook page provides a schedule for visitors.

Just over the state line in West Virginia, Oglebay Resort in Wheeling hosts its “Festival of Lights” until Jan. 7.

The Festival of Lights operates nightly from dusk until midnight. According to its website, the 6- mile route features more than 100 lighted attractions.

Oglebay asks that visitors make a $30 donation per vehicle. A donation comes with a pass that allows access to the light show through the rest of the season, and an Oglebay coupon book.

There are also many people who go above and beyond to put on intricate light shows for their communities.

Sissy and A.J. Boyer have transformed their home at 712 Wheatland Circle in South Fayette into a winter wonderland. Those who visit can tune their radio to 87.9 FM to listen as the lights dance to the music.

“I’ve been changing the music up. There are a couple that are really good with the light show, they dance really nice to them. I try to change it up a little bit. Sequences are different each time,” A.J. said of this year’s display.

Neighbors look forward to the light show every year, and it is always well-received by the children in the community.

“That’s kind of what makes it good for me. Knowing that people other than me are going to enjoy it,” A.J. said.

The Boyers do not have children of their own, which has made the excitement for the display each year extra special for them.

“The looks on their faces – it’s priceless,” Sissy said.

They Boyers have a mailbox out front for kids to drop off their letters to Santa Claus. Sissy would not reveal how she knows Santa, but assures that he will respond to each letter that includes a return address.

The couple run their light show from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

In Connellsville, John Lypson uses his display to help give back to the community.

Lypson has been programming light shows at his home at 409 Wills Road for several years. He enjoys building the computer programs that enable the show to operate.

“The computer sequencing takes roughly four hours of computer work to produce one minute of song. It is a lot of computer work,” Lypson said.

Each year Lypson and his family collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations for Connellsville Area Community Ministries. Lypson estimates that last year they collected about $1,000 and more than 1,000 pounds of food.

Lypson has considered ending what has become a neighborhood tradition.

“Every year I say this is it. This is the last time. Until I hear the children’s voices outside laughing and excited and seeing them get into the Christmas spirit. Then I’m excited to build more stuff and build more computer programs,” Lypson said.

Lypson runs his light show from 5 to 9 p.m. daily. Music for the show is played through 88.1 FM.

Also in Connellsville, Robert Vanorsdale has turned his love of Christmas lights into a business called Pixel Pro Displays.

Vanorsdale has been putting on a light show at 211 Van Drive for about 15 years, and Pixel Pro has been in business for seven of them.

Vanorsdale said Pixel Pro works with clients internationally to help homeowners build their own shows.

“We don’t install anything,” Vanorsdale explained. “We design it, and then we make it for them or we tell them what to buy and how to do it. But most times, we make everything and ship it to them.”

They also have worked with commercial clients, such as Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Vanorsdale operates the light show at his house from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday and plays music over 88.1 FM

He said his passion for Christmas lights goes back to childhood, when his father would load the family in the car to go look at lights.

“I can tell you I remember the memories of looking at Christmas lights, and how much that was something that meant a lot to me,” Vanorsdale said. “I know there are people that can’t do a lot for Christmas, and I’m glad I can be a part of everybody’s holiday tradition.”

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