Beloved Livingston Holiday Display Will Return With Horses, Barney, Surprises

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Toymaker Ernie Camuso of Livingston built one of New Jersey's most elaborate holiday light displays every year, and it'll be back for 2022 with some surprises.

(Too soon to think about it? Not! There are 69 shopping days until Christmas and 62 until Hanukkah).

The display typically runs during the month of December, through New Year's. They often hold an opening celebration, as well as a menorah lighting event around Hannukah (Dec. 18 this year) and other events.

According to the display's webpage, "For many decades prior to his passing, Ernie Camuso of Burnet Hill Road in Livingston designed and built one of the most elaborate Christmas Displays New Jersey has ever seen.

"A toymaker, and later machinist by trade, Mr. Camuso collected numerous animated robotic figures. Many were designed to be doing specific tasks related to toy building and loading Santa’s Sleigh full of gifts."

What's New In 2022?

The Livingston Community Partnership is looking for businesses to sponsor this year's display, and gave a hint in a message about what's to come.

"The Holiday Season is fast approaching and the Camuso Holiday Display committee has been hard at work preparing all the characters and scenes for display this December," they noted. "Barney is returning to the display this year! He has been under the weather, but the elves are bringing him back to life. The holiday workshop at the looks as though it could be the North Pole!"

They noted, "The winter display is hard on the characters that are over 50 years old. Each year the 'elves' work on the characters, repairing or replacing their motors, clothing and body parts. The tree is always in need of repair. This year the tree needs to be rewired.

"We are in need of funding to support the efforts of our dedicated volunteers and we are asking for your help in honoring this wonderful tradition the Camuso Family has donated to Livingston!"

You can get involved here.

On Opening Day

Opening night will be Saturday, Dec. 3, and each Saturday night will have special features.

They wll include horse and buggy rides with Clydesdale horses, pony rides, a petting zoo, trackless train rides, characters walking around, face painting, and balloons.

Event sponsors will be acknowledged on the sponsor board place at the entrance to the display.

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