Beaumont Community Rallies Together to Save Popular Lights Display

BEAUMONT, CA- A day after a popular holiday lights display was at risk of being forcefully taken down, it appears the community’s efforts to save it have paid off.

The residents of Amaryllis Road first created their unique lights display four years ago, in which each house strings lights from one to the other, creating a sparkling bridge for community members to enjoy. However, on Monday they were told it may have to come down.

According to street resident Michael Thompson, every house on the street received a notice from city code enforcement on Monday telling them that the lights had to come down if they were not raised higher. They were also instructed to get a $1 million insurance policy and pull encroachment permits.

“We drove down to the city to figure things out,” he told Patch.

But, feeling they initially got the cold shoulder and that they wouldn’t be able to get everything sorted out, residents took to social media, telling Beaumont community members to speak up if they wanted the display to stay. And they did.

A Facebook posting spreading the word quickly went viral. Several community members called code enforcement on behalf of Amaryllis Road. And Thompson was able to get in touch with Beaumont City Councilman Lloyd White and Mayor Brenda Knight-- who he says were helpful in getting things worked out.

“It’’s been really cool to see how the community is really pulling for us,” Thompson told Patch. “The mayor actually came out to our house and met with us and she was super nice and was fully supportive of us.”

Now, a day after getting those code enforcement notices, Thompson says he believes the street’s lights display is on track to stay put for this holiday season. He says the residents have worked out the insurance and permit logistics— and that they will be able to keep the lights at the current height, according to what city officials now tell him.

“The real problem wasn’t the insurance, it was the height requirement,” he said.

Thompson says it took about 10 people some eight to 10 hours to get the lights strung from roof to roof, 16 feet up in the air, and that if they were forced to raise them, it would not be an easy task.

Now, as long as everything goes according to plan, the community will be able to continue to enjoy the lights, through the end of December.

“We’re filling out the paperwork today,” Thompson said Tuesday afternoon.

Banning-Beaumont Patch reached out to the city, and is waiting for word back.