A look inside one of Hilton's largest Christmas light displays
Dec 25, 2024
HILTON, N.Y. (WROC) — If you turn into the driveway of 56 Bailey Road in Hilton from July to December, get ready to see and think Christmas.
"We've been doing this for since 2019 we started it right around COVID, when no one had anything to do. And every year it gets bigger and bigger," operator Susan King told News 8 on Christmas Eve.
Gio Battaglia: What goes into putting a show like this together every year?
"Five men in five months," King said. "September we usually start, or late August, and we'll put up, like the shelves and stuff, but then it gets really busy, like October, November, because we open the day after Thanksgiving."
King transforms her property into a winter wonderland. From Bills statuettes to Christmas characters in race cars, King said each decoration is sought after and sometimes brought to her.
Gio Battaglia: Favorite decoration you have on the display?
"I would have to say all of them, as crazy as that might sound," King said. "Because every year we go, and we seek out unique things or things that people don't have. And a lot of these blow molds and stuff in here are literally old fashioned. You can't even purchase them anymore. And one of our neighbors stopped over and he dropped off some really old-fashioned carolers. And it was such a great feeling,"
King also said this year is a bigger show and serves a greater purpose.
"We just add things every year, and we donate the proceeds of these shows to two churches this year. One is going to be at Saint Paul Lutheran in Hilton that helps with the Hilton Food Bank, and the other one is Anchor Baptist church over on North Greece Road. They are a small church and help with the deaf," King said.
Gio Battaglia: You have a nice double whammy of having a light show for the community, but then also giving back the proceeds. How does it feel just be able to spearhead this?
"I've always loved Christmas. It's my favorite holiday, and I don't know. It's just a joyful feeling inside, knowing that you're helping others and that you can do not only for the community, but the smiles on these children's eyes as they come through, and how their light, their eyes brighten up when they see Santa… money can't buy," King said.
If you missed the Christmas Eve display, there is still one more chance to catch the lights on Christmas Day starting at 6 p.m., before they are taken down for an even bigger show next year.