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By Times staff reports
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 12, 2000
CITRUS/MARION COUNTIES
10292 N Allwood Ter., Citrus Springs. 25,000 lights on house, lawn, shed, driveway. "My fiancee has been working on it every night for the past three weeks. Every year we try to add more. (We lost count last year.)"
6095 N Speckled Perch Ter. (Tsala Apopka Retreats), Hernando. 28 lighted trees, Santa and Mrs. Santa greet visitors at the gate, animated dolls, reindeer.
5405 W Stockholm Lane, Dunnellon. Front quarter of 2-acre corner lot is decorated with homemade items, icicle lights around house and garage, two decorated trees.
4555 SW 175th Court (Lake Tropicana), Dunnellon. Nearly half an acre of lights, 20-foot lighted tree in front yard, sailboat made of lights. Access via State Road 40 and SW 178th Terrace; 15.5 miles west of I-75.
Brooksville
9342 High Point Blvd. (High Point). 11,000 lights on house, ground, shrubs, palm tree.
21253 Yontz Road, Lot 73 (3 Season Mobile Home Park). Disney characters, stagecoach and reindeer, lighted arches.
6371 Frank Court (Hill-n-Dale). "Bright and colorful, decorated by a 30-year-old with the Christmas spirit of a 5-year-old!"
7522 Country Club Drive (Brookridge). "Waterfalls: It's different."
471 Howell Ave. "Historic Brooksville home voted "Best of the Best 1999," adorned with more than 20,000 white and colored lights. Atop the second story is a 10-foot cross and two 8-foot stars.
7473 Bonnie Lake Road (Lakeside Estates). Arch over driveway, homemade "Merry Christmas" sign, homemade star. "Routine Christmas in this household: lights, lights, etc."
1023 Falcon Court (off Waterfall). What makes this one special? "All the time and work put into it! And the love of it, too. Christmas is a wonderful time of year, and I love to see people's faces when they see all the lights."
4403 Rachel Blvd. (Primrose). Santa and Frosty wish you a Merry Christmas. "The whole house glows."
7452 Alhambra Court. 50-plus lighted figures, Nativity, Santa and reindeer, candy cane driveway, big garage display with more than 150 lighted buildings and two dozen animated characters, two Season's Greetings signs and plenty of lights. "We are at the end of the court and have been decorating at this location for over 20 years. There is an additional, large "Season's Greetings' sign that faces County Line Road (about half a mile west of Waterfall Drive) that shows off a different angle of our display. Many people have told us over the years that this sign has become a landmark in finding our house."
3240 Gulf Coast Drive (Hernando Beach N). "Last year we won Best Display on the Beach. This year we have added more and inspired a lot of neighbors to light up for everyone to enjoy. We have a wonderful community, and I'd like to share with others." Santa will be there from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 10 and Dec. 23 handing out candy canes for all the little ones.
3448 Croaker Drive (Hernando Beach S). Traditional theme with 15,000 lights, large wreaths, reindeer, lighted palm trees, 30-foot, three-story lighted tree reflecting on the water.
8172 Roycrest Lane. Santa and Mrs. Santa, sleigh, reindeer, lighted arches, trees, moving reindeer, snowman, manger, Mickey.
3375 Harden St. (Weeki Wachee Acres). 35,000 lights, more than 40 trees, Santa's house, workshop, reindeer stable.
6060 Kinlock Ave. (Skyland Pines). Flamingoes jump over a fence, animated figures, Santa rides a bicycle, penguin city. On New Year's Eve people come to celebrate and watch the ball drop.
12749 Linden Drive (east of Mariner at the Baptist Church). "A display of several thousand lights and 80-plus figures that has been known to slow traffic a bit." Santas, elves, snowmen, bears, nutcrackers, drummers, angels, Nativity. Frosty the Snowman is decked out for the beach."It's a fun project for us, and we hope that all will enjoy our efforts."
331 Plumtree Ave. More than 12,000 lights, blue motion icicle lights around pool, lighted sculptures, illuminated figures.
10280 Heathcliff St. More than 10,000 lights, more than 50 stars. What makes it special: "I can spend time with my kids and see the smiles on people's faces."
15120 Eastwood Trail (Springwood Estate). Half-acre lot. "Special type of house: It's 90 feet wide, and it's all dressed up for Christmas. You must see for yourself."
5509 Applegate Drive. 10,000 lights, merry-go-round, soldiers, helicopter. Everything handmade. "Bring your camera!"
9496 Northcliffe Blvd. Helicopter with Santa on the roof, tree in front yard, reindeer and poinsettias in garden, wreaths, lighted shrubs. Why the helicopter? The homeowner "flew a helicopter for the sheriff's department in Lake County before retirement." These lights went on before Thanksgiving so visiting children and grandchildren could see them.
5190 Quintilis St. Lights, Santa and reindeer, Nativity, angels, soldiers.
9265 Regatta Circle (off Deltona Boulevard). 12,000 lights, many colored balls, "a beautiful display."
4621 Mariner Blvd. Homemade decorations including airplane with Santa waving in the cockpit.
10351 Lacy St. "Many lighted displays and a live poinsettia tree. It is beautiful!" a reader reports.
10458 Upton St. More than 7,000 lights, lighted sidewalk archways and seven trees in various colored lights.
8185 English Elm Circle (Forest Oaks). All hedges and trees lighted, Santa on roof with reindeer, spiral tree, icicles. What's special: "The love and enjoyment we had in putting it all together, two senior citizens who still enjoy giving to others at this time of year."
Bayonet Point
8701 Braxton Drive (Beacon Woods East). "Anne and Walt's Christmas wonderland: animated Mickey and Minnie Mouse, elves working in a candy factory, the three chipmunks, Sylvester and Tweety Pie, more." Lights go on Dec. 16.
6223 Appomattox Drive (Colonial Hill 4). Flagpole shooting stars with 400 lights; 1957 Bel Air with tree on top, lights all around; animated figures on porch, Santa's children, snow children playing volleyball in yard, lines of soldiers and showmen. Says owner: "I did all the work myself."
3110 Rock Valley Drive (Beacon Square). 12,000-light display, animated reindeer and angels, Santa on the roof. "So many lights you feel you're at Disney World!"
4255 Morlock Lane (Buena Vista Park). 7,000-plus lights, 9-foot whale, dolphin, palm tree, flamingo, alligator, ice skaters, soldiers. "My husband and I built all the outdoor decorations ourselves."
2026 Orange Drive (Buena Vista North). 7,000-plus lights and many lighted sculptures "made by my father." Florida touches: lighted alligator, palm tree, pink flamingo and dolphin.
2013 Hess Drive (Buena Vista North). Nativity, stars, arches, many Santas, figures on the walls, highest tree in the community decorated with more than 4,000 lights. What makes it special: "The whole street involvement and neighborhood spirit, community coordination and enthusiasm."
5738 Ivy Lane (Forest Hills East). Mr. and Mrs. Santa in a golf cart are the holidays-in-Florida attraction here, with 10,000-plus lights, "snow on roof, weather permitting" and "a must-see holiday attraction, an array of colors and animation."
7409 Stillwater Drive (Ponderosa Park). Many 4-foot candy canes, two Santas, gingerbread men, stuffed Christmas stocking, animated deer, white spiral tree with motion lights, musical golden bells. The homeowners' grandparents decorated lavishly in Chicago, and, now that they're gone, the family keeps up the tradition "to really look like home." Lights on Dec. 15.
12621 Buckhorn Drive (Shadow Ridge). Sleigh with reindeer, large and small nativities, tons of lights, candy canes, lighted cross. "Everything was made by us. I could never have done this up North. Here it's nice and warm, and you can work all night long and make your own trees."
13012 Western Circle (Beacon Woods). Disney World display of 35 animated figures, "most of them handmade originals, not store-bought." 10,000 lights, candy canes for children. "Something new each year since 1990. Entire street decorates."
12101 Mac Drive (Parkwood Acres). "What a great display you can have when neighbors work together." Santa on Jet Ski is a Florida touch.
8422 Royal Hart Drive (Deer Park). "Entire yard decorated with thousands of lights, lawn ornaments, wooden Looney Tunes sled, lighted signs on roof, arches over driveway, animated window displays. "My husband and I have accumulated Christmas items over 29 years of marriage, and we both enjoy decorating. He takes a week's vacation to put it all out. Our house can be seen from blocks away. Neighbors anxiously await the day we light up the display, knocking on our door to find out when we are lighting it up."
9541 Dantel Drive (Tanglewood East). Extensive lights that extend up three stories to the peaks of the house.
8836 Cessna Drive (Hidden Lakes, Ridge Road). 20,000 lights, animated Nativity, seven animated scenes, Cabbage Patch dolls, music. "Family-oriented, traditional Christmas."
3505 Berkshire St. (Colonial Manor). 13,000 lights, "nicely done by a 63-year-old woman by herself. House has a warm touch."
5550 Van Doren Ave. What makes it special? "Lights and the happiness around it."
6014 Tennessee. Lights, foliage, gold stars and red ribbons. "I used only Florida tropicals and Florida native foliage."
8004 Cameron Cay (Ridgewood II). 50 wood cutouts, 4,000 lights, cartoon Christmas characters, penguins in sunglasses, everything handmade.
6438 Meadowbrook Lane (The Meadows). "Simplicity -- like a postcard or Christmas card."
9310 Sterling Lane (Embassy Hills). Entire house lighted inside and out. Garage turned into a village with ceramic houses, carousels, skating rink. ("Looks like Rockefeller Center.") "It makes me feel good to see children come by, and their eyes light up, and they say, "Wow, Mommy, this is wonderful.' " Santa and Rudolph are there 7-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; free pictures; treat bags for the kids.
7020 Rockwood Drive. "Lights and collection box for Toys for Tots."
11625 Salmon Drive (Bear Creek). Seven trees, big Merry Christmas sign, lighted Nativity, snowmen, Santa, lights "too many to count," all decorations made by owner.
7335 Chinaberry Court (Orchid Lake Village). "All nine houses on our cul-de-sac are beautifully decorated with thousands of lights, animated figures, garage displays and other assorted displays. Our cul-de-sac has been a local drive-by favorite for years and continues to be a "must-see' on your list of holiday lights."
10321 Pastel Lane (Jasmine Lakes). A 7-foot Santa says, "Merry Christmas"; 40 trees, more than 3,000 lights, snowmen, Nativity.