'Christmas in the Grove' Returns

Thanksgiving night is time again for "Christmas in the Grove," the annual holiday light extravaganza and fund-raiser for ALS, at the home of Tony and Katie Paradowski, 1428 Oak Grove Drive.

The show runs through Jan. 1 from 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 6:30 p.m.- 11 p.m. Friday-Sunday, weather permitting.

"Our show has evolved from simple animation in 2010, to a light show, choreographed to some of the greatest Christmas music ever! The sound from our show can be heard in our yard and is also broadcast on 87.9 FM so that you can listen from the comfort of your car," the family's website states.

Taylor Paradowski sent Patch a history of her family's project. Some excerpts:

"Christmas in The Grove began with one man’s childhood dream. As a child growing up in Niagara Falls, NY, in the late 60’s, Tony Paradowski recalls a house on his street that had a wonderful display of Christmas lights and thinking to himself that he, too, wanted to have beautiful decorations like that one day," Taylor wrote.

"The first year for the Paradowskis was quite a modest attempt at simple animation with no music. Simple, yes, however, the display that year seemed very popular. In 2011, Paradowski took on new heights. The display grew from one switching controller to 16 and from roughly 10,000 lights, to 36,000. He added music, radio; professional voice overs and sequenced the lights to about 8 different songs. He quickly learned that it takes 6-8 hours of programming for every 60 seconds of music, not a light task, but a task well worth it!"

Taylor continues:

"In 2012, Paradowski went even bigger, with 35 controllers and 72,000 lights. A huge Christmas tree that cascaded with RGB led ribbons became a focal point of the show. That year, Paradowski had the fortune of working with singer/songwriter Judy Pancoast to create a version of her song, “The House on Christmas Street,” which was customized just for the Paradowskis' display. Santa’s visit this year would be one of the busiest nights the Paradowskis had experienced.

"2013 looks to be even bigger and better then previous years. Paradowski will be adding their first elements that use DMX technology, a wall of snowflakes, and the light count will be topping out at the 100,000 mark!"

The Paradowskis decided in 2011 to use their display to solicit funds for the ALS Association of Georgia. All proceeds from this fund-raiser go directly to the association. The family has raised $2,800 so far.

Santa will appear again this year at 6 p.m. on Dec. 14.

Taylor said the family remains "constantly surprised and humbled" how their display has touched people’s lives.

"From the wonderment in the eyes of the children, to the cancer patient who would visit after each treatment to take her mind off her illness, to the families who have made the Paradowskis' display a part of their holiday tradition, Christmas in The Grove has become a place where family, friends and people around Decatur and the metro can come to celebrate and share the joy of Christmas," she wrote.