A Colwood family is big on Christmas, and the proof is outside their home.
“I love seeing it make people happy,” said Tasha Knight, standing in front of her family’s holiday display at 1973 Colwood Cres., near Colwood Corners shopping plaza.
But it’s not your typical display — it features tens of thousands of lights and nearly 100 inflatables, in a growing family tradition that’s bigger than ever before, the Knights say.
“I couldn’t count, but there are a lot of Santas,” said one passerby, as he marvelled at the display. “They go above and beyond.”
The lights, blow-ups and Christmas carols turn on around 4:30 p.m. every day this holiday season.
“We love being able to spread some joy,” said Tasha. “The smile on the kids’ faces and the laughter we hear,” added Kevin Knight, Tasha’s husband.
So people gather, twinkly-eyed, making new memories, all thanks to the Knight family’s tradition that’s been decades in the making.
“We bring her every year,” said one passerby with her young daughter. “Every night. And we enjoy it every night,” added another who lives nearby.
‘It holds a lot of memories’
When Tasha was young, her dad would decorate her childhood home, and she and her brother would often join in on the fun.
“He started it when we were kids. And me and my brother would be out there helping him,” she told CHEK News in an interview.
So, all grown up, she was inspired to create a display with her husband and, eventually, their kids Lauren, Rory and Raelen.
They’ve been doing it for several years now.
“This year, it’s been non-stop. Even when it’s pouring rain, people come,” said Kevin. The family’s holiday handyman says the power bill isn’t too bad despite being a mega display.
“Because everything’s LED,” he said. “And the blow-ups, they’re only 12 volts, so not a lot of power is used.”
But it’s no easy feat and takes the family about a month to set up, says Kevin. And, through the years, people have donated decorations, which only add to the Christmas cheer.
So where do the Knights store all the decorations once the holiday season passes?
“We have a 20-foot sea can that is floor to ceiling,” laughed Tasha.
“A lot of people that are important in our lives have given us stuff over the years to add to it, so for us, it holds a lot of memories that we’re so happy to be able to share with other people.”
On Saturday, Dec. 23, Santa Claus and the Grinch will be stopping by the display to take photos with visitors, and the family says they’ll be collecting donations for the Goldstream Food Bank.
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