Light display in LaGrangeville to benefit Alzheimer's Association

LAGRANGEVILLE — For the sixth year, the ERDAJT Holiday Lights Display at 8 Patrick Drive will benefit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s from 4:45-9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Tim and Grace Gay originally created it for their children in 1995, according to their website. The show’s name is taken from the first and middle names of the family’s three children, Emily Raejean, Daniel Arthur and John Timothy, who now as adults do much of the work setting it up.

The display features nearly 700,000 lights and has continued to grow each year. It has been featured extensively in the media and has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s biggest residential light display since 2014. The lights are also animated to music, and according to the ERDAJT Facebook page, there are 2,040 individually controlled items in the display.

In 2003, the light show was made into a fundraiser for various local nonprofits, which for the last six years have included the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter.

“We are so pleased to have ERDAJT’s support again this year,” said Walk Manager Tina Eckert. “The light display is a fun and festive way to enjoy some holiday spirit and help some great causes at the same time.”

Money raised from the light show will go to the Dutchess/Ulster Walk, locally presented by ArchCare Center for Advanced Memory Care, which was held on Saturday, Oct. 15. The walk is now 85 percent of the way to its goal of $244,000, and fundraising will continue through Dec. 31. People are welcome to start teams, register and fundraise through the end of the year, or make donations to an existing team at DutchessUlsterWalk.org

Funds raised by the walk help support the Alzheimer’s Association’s programs that raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and other dementia in the community and help support families living with the disease. Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association’s local programs and services here.

About the Walk to End Alzheimer’s

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease. All money raised benefits the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association®. For details about local Alzheimer’s Association programs and support groups, visit www.alz.org/hudsonvalley or call 800.272.3900.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.

About the Hudson Valley Chapter

The Hudson Valley Chapter serves families living with dementia in seven counties in New York, including Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. To learn more about the programs and services offered locally, visit alz.org/hudsonvalley.