Kurtz Christmas Light Show 2016 Adds Animation

BEL AIR, MD — The Kurtz Christmas light show is back, with a high-tech addition joining the party this year.

Jim Kurtz, the Amyclae resident who engineered the choreographed light-sound display, has incorporated a pixel strip tree that allows him to add animations to his lights.

"It's really the newest technology" for Christmas light enthusiasts, he said. From the Grinch to Star Wars characters, there is something for everyone in the show.

"It’s a sampler platter," said Kurtz, who has been creating the annual holiday light display for six years at his home on Corinthian Court.

He attracted widespread media attention last year when he dedicated the show to addicts and in 2012 for his spirited “Call Me Maybe” rendition.

The 2016 lineup includes one song — "Stand By You" — that he and his wife dedicated to their daughter Caroline, who is in recovery from addiction. The song by Rachel Platten echoes the Kurtz's 2015 show that included Platten's "Fight Song," also dedicated to their daughter.

"This next song goes out to our daughter, Caroline. She fights every day to stay clean. We are grateful to everyone who stands by her, especially the good people of her recovery community of Hamlin, Pennsylvania," says a voiceover before "Stand by You" plays."Before the next song begins, we ask that you take a moment to remember the tens of thousands of Americans who suffer from the disease of addiction."

The show also includes holiday favorites such as the Griswold Christmas, Nutcracker Dubsteb, Where Are You Christmas, White Christmas, Do You Hear What I Hear? and Christmas Vacation.

Tunes featuring Star Wars and the Minions are in there too, and there's a salute to the nation's service members — literally, there are salutes in it! — with God Bless The USA.

This year, Kurtz said three of his neighbors' homes are connected to his through a wireless transmitter so their houses mirror the light show.

"I would love for all 12 homes on our street to participate," Kurtz said. "Could you imagine? Twelve houses going at once."

The 2016 Kurtz Christmas light show runs 5-9 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday; and 5-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It's at 1205 Corinthian Court in Bel Air until Saturday, Dec. 31.

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