Christmas light display switches up the wonder

Richard and Kathryn Robinson have been putting up Christmas light displays to delight Timaru families for 12 years but have stepped up this year’s offering with a Christmas Wonderland and light and music display controlled by 12 computers.

‘‘It is very different to anything else you see around Timaru,’’ Richard Robinson said. ‘‘We try to do something new every year.’’

The display used to be in a paddock near the house and people could drive past and view it from the road.

Now the lights have been erected around the Robinsons’ home and people have to park in the carpark of their business, Famlan Farm Park, and walk up to the house to get the full effect of the light and music show.

‘‘We have got a Christmas Wonderland in our garage which we have never done before; it is full of Christmas trees and has a seat where people can take pictures of themselves.’’ Robinson said he began putting the lights up at the beginning of November and was ready to launch the display last night. ‘‘It all goes to music and each song takes 15 to 20 hours of programming and fiddling around.’’

All the lights were imported from America at huge expense – one piece of equipment that shows basic images cost $3500, he said.

However, the electricity did not cost much because all the lights were LEDs (energy efficient light emitting diodes), he said.

‘‘I run probably in the region of 20,000-25,000 lights and I guess my bill probably goes up by about $20 for December.’’

He said he could turn the lights on and off when he liked so the display had not impacted on their ability to sleep.

The Robinsons are raising money for a mental health charity this year but say people who want to view the display are not obliged to donate. ‘‘We are all about families; we just want families to come up together and enjoy themselves,’’ Robinson said. ‘‘It is lovely seeing the kids there, especially at Christmas – we love seeing their faces when the lights come on.’’

The lights will be on display every night from 9.30pm at Famlan Farm Park, Rosebrook Rd.

JOHN BISSET/STUFF Richard and Kathryn Robinson have programmed tens of thousands of Christmas lights at their home, using 12 computers.