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Nick Rogers and his family invites the public to drive by two homes at 3212 and 3218 Bella Garden Lane, decorated with lighting synchonized to music.
LIGHTS OF WINTER
dancing lights with a first control set— Mr. Christmas Light Show box—from Lowe’s. “The problem is you can only make six different things dance and you can’t add or change songs,” Rogers explained. “So in 2013 I spent my first Disney paycheck for my first Light-O-Rama control box.” The collector of 1,400 Disney pins to date has already worked through positions in Attractions (Backlot Tour and Toy Story Mania) to his current—Merchandise at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. He hopes to transfer to Front Desk and one day become a Disney hotel manager. Family friend Ryan Richter, whose decorated home is adjacent, sold the Rogers the property. “My parents essentially built their dream house but kept my lights in mind, placing several exterior electrical outlets in key positions
specifically for the show,” Nick shared. “We intend to expand it every year for as long as financially possible,” he offered. “We hope to add about 25,000 lights for 2016, more songs, more colors to the mega-tree, and columns, strobes and other surprises on Ryan’s house and perhaps an arched tunnel effect over the roadway. Eventually we’d like a 360-degree experience with all six homes dancing on almost 10 acres.” Nick’s phone controls remote access should the lights malfunction while he’s away. “Unless we’ve posted a problem on Facebook,” he said, “please let us know immediately so I can correct it right away.” Visit the Lights of Winter page to add your “like” and share. Suggestions for future song selections are welcome, too! View www.lightsofwinterpc.com for additional information.
COMPUTERIZED CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SYNCED TO MUSIC BY CHERYL JOHNSTON PHOTOS BY NICK ROGERS & CHERYL JOHNSTON
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lant City native Nick Rogers credits Walt Disney World for inspiring his passion for synchronized-to-music Christmas light shows. And he’s hoping “to spread the Christmas spirit to as many as possible” when families visit his wonderful display at 3212 and 3218 Bella Garden Lane off Sparkman Road. The holiday light show runs nightly through January 3 from 6-10PM SundayThursday and 6-11PM Friday-Saturday. Two adjacent homes and a 20’ mega-tree feature 50 strobes and 26,000 lights dancing to 12 songs for a 40-minute program. Visitors will also see snow from December 15-25. Drivers should turn onto Bella Garden, tune into FM 107.5, and keep right on the drive to view both homes. Folks are welcome to walk around and search for 11 hidden Mickeys before
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exiting along the area marked by blue lights. This pattern ensures neighbors easy access to their homes. The 2013 Plant City High School graduate attends Hillsborough Community College to pursue a Hospitality Management degree. He lives with his parents, Ronald and Cathy, and younger sister. Brother Nathan lives nearby.20’ “Our Christian family has always loved Christmas and everything about it, but especially Christmas lights,” he shared. “We love looking at the displays people make, but two in particular fascinated me: Epcot’s Lights of Winter (1994-2009) and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (1995-2015).” Family Disney trips “pretty much every weekend and every Christmas season” led Rogers to create his own
From family Disney trips at a very young age, Nick Rogers, 20, has been fascinated by lighting synchronized to music. He hopes the Lights of Winter display will expand in the future.