Christmas Light Display Down Under Sets Record [Video]

November 30, 2014

Christmas lights tend to bring out the lighthearted and joyful spirit of holiday cheer, claims returning Guinness World Record holder, David Richards, and he has certainly done his part to evoke the Christmas spirit in the “land down under” with a record setting holiday light display. Guinness certified Richards’ creation in Canberra, Australia as the largest LED image light display on record, using 1,194,380 lights to illuminate Petrie Plaza, a shopping center in the center of town. Richard’s exhibit beats the former record, set in Uzbekistan in 2012, by 181,540 lights.

The Richards have been decorating their home for Christmas for many years. However, after setting the record for most lights used in a home display in 2013, they found that the spectacle attracted so many visitors that it clogged up traffic in their neighborhood and made it difficult to come and go from their homes. Therefore, they opted to take their Christmas light display to a more public venue with more space, where the public could enjoy the presentation free of charge without disrupting traffic and disturbing their neighbors. Richards expects more visitors at the public exhibit than at their home, with estimates of over 200,000 viewers.

Many people donated money, time, goods and services to bring this project to fruition. Around 100 sound engineers, carpenters, electricians and other construction specialists, civil engineers and architects all contributed to volunteer hours to the months and months it took to plan and set up the details and logistics of such a massive light display. Actual construction started in October. The exhibition contains 75 miles of light strings strung into a colossal Christmas image of a tree with wrapped gifts. The massive amount of power needed to run the display has been donated by the local power company.

The 3-D LED image takes up 41,000 square feet and features three giant Christmas presents, along with a snowman and some smaller accessories, creating a lighted wonderland in the middle of the “down under” island nation’s capital. There is no charge to visit the record-setting display. However, it is designed as a fundraiser for a cause near and dear to the Richards hearts. After the tragic loss of their son in 2002, SIDS and Kids ACT helped the family so they want to give back. Donations will go to help grieving families mourning the death of a child due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Richards and his wife Janean have raised over $200,000 to pay it forward by helping the charity help others get counseling when they leave the hospital. The organization’s CEO, Nathalie Maconachie expressed amazement and gratitude for Mr. Richard’s passionate efforts on their behalf and admired his creativity in drawing the community together for the Christmas season.

The Christmas light show runs from the Friday after Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. The city has granted Mr. Richards a three-year contract to bring the light display back to the “land down under.” The Canberra lawyer admits to a sense of awe at his record-setting creation, insisting that it is more than just a collection of twinkling lights. Ultimately, the family would like to turn primary responsibility for the yearly project over to someone else and move onto other adventures. Nonetheless, crowds of shoppers will promenade through the tunnels filled with lights and music, letting the aura of grand-scale whimsy sweep them into the joyful spirit of Christmas with smiles, laughter and good cheer to adorn the holiday experience.