Most Festive Home South Of The North Pole Breaks A World Record

LAGRANGEVILLE, NY — If you think that 601,736 Christmas lights are a lot, just wait until you see the new record 687,000 at the ERDAJT Holiday Lights Display this year.

The Lagrangeville family that holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for most lights on a residential property has broken their own record again. The house first set the record with 346,283 Christmas lights in 2012, but the family has smashed that record on three separate occasions and broke their own record once again this holiday with 687,000 lights.

The annual ERDAJT light display is more than just an attempt to outdo the neighbors. The over-the-top holiday decorations are also an oversized fundraiser for local charities. The family has a goal of breaking another personal best record by raising more than a half million dollars in total for good causes with the proceeds from the light show, according to the ERDAJT website.

The massive holiday endeavor is very much a family affair. In fact, the world-famous holiday light show gets is name from the combined initials of the three youngest members of the Gay family.

Patriarch Timothy Gay told the Albany Times-Union that the tradition of going all out for the season is one he and his wife Grace inherited from his mother.

"I grew up in a family of eight children and she made the holidays magical for the whole family," Gay told the newspaper. "From Thanksgiving to New Year's, it was like Grand Central Station in our house. It was very special to us."

This year, the display will run nightly until Dec. 26. The shows start at 4:45 p.m. daily.

The lights are choreographed to music — the night's playlist and which charity will be collecting the proceeds can be found on the ERDAJT website. The Union Vale Fire Department collects most nights for a community fund which is used to support other local charities and individuals in need. Donations are voluntary and pressure-free, according to the Gays.

All of the money donated goes to the charities.

In addition to a new total light count of nearly 687,000, there are also more than 250 songs choreographed to the display. The display is drive-through only with no stopping on the nearby neighborhood roads.

More information about the Guiness Book of World Records top Christmas display can be found here or by driving by to take a peek for yourself.