Local Holiday Show Shines Lights on Those In Need

This is the fourth year that a Tiverton home is completely decorated with over 20,000 lights that dance to the beat of various holiday tunes in a show called Lights for Lives.

Homeowners Colleen St. Onge and her husband Larry St. Onge have taken the time to set up the 40-minute light show and charity drop-off in their yard on 84 Hayden Ave.

The charity helps collect money and food donations to help out those who are less fortunate during the holiday season.

“It started because I like Christmas and decided to turn it into a charity,” Colleen St. Onge said.

Members of the community who check out the show can drop off a monetary donation as well as non-perishable items like peanut butter, pastas, sauces, canned goods and more.

All of the cash donations are donated to Make a Wish-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island and Tiverton Food Bank. All food donations will be sent to Tiverton Food Bank as well.

“We did it to bring joy to the community,” St. Onge said. “Our hope is the community pays it forward and helps out the charities.”

The 40-minute-long light show features 10 songs including “Wizards in Winter,” “Jolly Old St. Nick” and “Amazing Grace.”

“The show changes with every song,” St. Onge said. “You really have to come see it in person. The pictures and the video doesn’t do it justice.”

People can either walk through the walkways in the yard during the show or sit in their cars and listen to the music on radio station 91.7.

The light display includes a castle with Mickey and Minnie Mouse and kids can grab some candycanes at the gingerbread house.

The light show began on the night of Thanksgiving and will run until Sunday, Jan. 4. It can be seen every Monday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Fridays to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Santa and Ms. Claus will be at the light show to greet and take pictures with the kids every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. 9pm.

Lights for Lives has raised as much as $500 and donated around 300 pounds of food in one year and St. Onge expects this year to have the biggest turnout yet. “We’ve really gotten the word out this year,” she said.

The St. Onge’s will hold at least two drop-offs at the Tiverton Food Pantry and are hoping to make more frequent drops this year. They will make one of their drop-offs on the week before Christmas to help donate Christmas meals in addition to them personally donating at least five turkeys to the food bank.

This is the first year Lights of Lives has teamed up with Tiverton High School. If students donate three non-perishable food items to the drive, they can earn one hour of community service and can earn up to three hours. Students can drop off the items on Friday and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and sign-in with Colleen St. Onge or Larry St. Onge to receive credit.

St. Onge added that people are free to park and turn around in her driveway if needed.

Check out the Lights for Lives Facebook page for news and updates.

Photo and Video Credit: Colleen St. Onge