Two South West families are once again vying for the title some of the best Christmas light displays in 2018, after winning awards last year.
The family at 8 Galloway Bend, Eaton, were thrilled to discover they had won the WA Synergy Xmas Light Trail competition for best light display synchronised to music in 2017.
The mastermind behind the project Dan McLaren was determined to go bigger and better this year adding an extra tree, more lights and over 200 hours of set up.
Mr McLaren said he started decorating the family home last year to bring smiles to the faces of his two children Nate, 5, and Annalise, 2.
“When the little fella runs around the front yard happy, you can’t beat that,” he said.
His wife Mel McLaren said it had been a wonderful way to bring Christmas spirit to their neighbourhood.
“There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t realise when they drive past and look at the lights and hear the music,” she said.
“I think it just brings that real sense of community, with the people driving past – everyone’s calling out ‘Merry Christmas’ and you hear all the kids say ‘wow look at that’.”
Marie Vranjes from the popular 36 Honibrook Road Dalyellyup was named the People’s Choice winner for the South West last year.
Her elaborate Christmas lights display included Santa’s Sleigh, a train, an animated village and a teddy bear display.
Ms Vranjes said after she was chosen for the People’s Choice Award on the Synergy Xmas Lights Trail in 2017, she was inspired to go one better this year to raise more funds for Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“I have been decorating my home for 16 years and what started as one string of lights when I was a kid has grown into something massive as I definitely now have a Christmas lights addiction,” she said.
Voting for the WA Synergy Xmas Light Trail ends tomorrow.
To pick your favourite visit https://xmaslightstrail.synergy.net.au/Trail
