The continuation of a Lethbridge holiday tradition was in jeopardy almost three months ago when a devastating fire tore through the Groves’ family garage, where their notorious Christmas light display was stored. Every year the Groves string up thousands of lights that are synchronized to music.
“We came home that day from the fire and walked in the garage and the door was ripped off and everything was smoke-damaged and wet,” Scott Groves said. “My main programming computer – I lifted up the laptop and water poured out.”
READ MORE: ‘Just devastation’: infamous Lethbridge Christmas lights show threatened by fire
Thankfully, with a little bit of elbow grease and some generous donations from the community, they’re ready to go for yet another year.
“To have people call us and invite us to their home so they could help us – it was just mind-boggling,” Groves said. “To see the outpouring of words and support and finances and screws and whatnot to help rebuild the display.
“Of course every time they call there’s a story. They say how much they’ve enjoyed our display, coming here with the family. That’s what it’s all about – a place for families to come at Christmas time and enjoy Christmas lights.”
WATCH: Display with 13,000 holiday lights wows Lethbridge residents
The kickoff to the annual lights display is still a few weeks away, but there may be one thing missing.
In previous years, the Groves collected donations for the Chinook Autism Society. Although the lights are up, the donation box was lost in the fire.
“If you do see a donation box up, we are doing it again and the proceeds will be going to the Chinook Autism Society,” Groves said. “If you don’t see a donation box, then we just encourage everybody to go the extra mile and make a donation to a great cause locally this year.”
The party to flip the switch is on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. at the home.
Comments