Christmas Lights: A Montclair Home That's Decked Out

Matthew Carino just turned 14. And yet he's the mastermind behind the spectacular display of holiday spirit that can be found at 54 Myrtle Avenue in Montclair.

While other boys were on the Xbox or iPad, Carino has been feeding his fascination with lighting by checking out displays at places like the Turtle Back Zoo.

"He started decorating with lights at a pretty young age and learned everything he could about lighting," said his mother Marijeanne Carino.

She said her son, an 8th grader at Mount Hebron Middle School, has attended the Metal Arts summer camp at Montclair High School three years in a row, creating metal sculptures that he can "light up." He's also a three-year member of the Mount Hebron Stage Crew.

Last year, his Christmas light display included a giant snowman made of PVC pipe and an arch over the driveway and was so splashy it warranted a notice in "The Montclair Times."

"Needless to say, this is a passion of his," she said.

This year, the Carinos have entered their home's light display in Patch's nationwide contest that could result in the Montclair School District winning $100,000. Already 113 people have voted for the display. You can vote too by going here. The deadline for entry is Dec. 26.

Marijeanne Carino estimates that her son used more than 10,000 lights in his display.

"Of note is that we still use traditional incandescent bulbs because we prefer the way they look over LED lights, which are more efficient," she said. "This means our electric bill is higher.

"My son gets these lights online, in stores and from garage sales ... basically anywhere we can get a good deal," she added.

Marijeanne Carino said that, in previous years, the family was unable to run any major appliance at the same time the light display was on for fear of blowing a circuit.

"But we had our electric system upgraded last year and added five boxes outdoors on five new circuits dedicated to the outdoor display," she said. "So no more blown circuits. Needless to say, we're committed!"

What other great holiday displays have you seen in Montclair? Tell us in the comments section below. And be sure you vote for the Carino home in the Deck Your House contest so that Montclair might win $100,000 for its schools!