Lighting up the season: Christmas Spirit is Electric in TD
Erica Templeton and Tim Lepinski await the arrival of kids to their home every night, and they expect it will be packed this Christmas Eve. Their home, with a blazing 30,000 lights all moving and choreographed to music, has become a holiday stand-out. The Dalles Beautification Committee just named it the most Grandiose in its Holiday Display contest. Their house is at 3800 W. Sixth Street in The Dalles. Driving west, it’s just past Home Depot on an unnamed court street before you get to Ideal Homes. They light up at 5 p.m.
By Tom Peterson
Santa! Santa! Santa! Santa! Santa! Oh, folks, it’s hitting a high-fevered pitch now as Christmas Eve is upon us. Join in the joy and check out these recently awarded holiday lights at 3800 W. Sixth St., The Dalles.
Tim Lepinski and Erica Templeton could not really pinpoint it.
The 30,000 lights in their front yard.
The elf costume that Tim dons each day to greet kids in his front yard.
The thousands of candy canes Erica buys to hand out.
Why?
“I’m not sure, crazy?,” said Tim inquisitively on Wednesday night, Dec. 22.
Well, their house at 3800 West sixth Street in The Dalles was anything but crazy to The Dalles Beautification Committee.
They awarded it the most Grandiose in The Dalles. It’s a nice accolade, no doubt. And locals have been drawn to this joy for years as Tim and Erica celebrate with holiday light shows for Halloween and Veteran’s Day as well.
They also have a direct line to the big man, himself.
That’s right. Santa!
Erica and Tim have a mailbox to receive letters-to-Santa. Kids drop off their letters for the great Sackman, and they are sent to the North Pole where Santa writes a note and returns them.
There is truly something magical going on here.
Tim and Erica start their festivities every night at 5 p.m., and the light show for Santa draws hundreds of people most nights, especially today, Christmas Eve. We would say the house is a bit difficult to find, before the lights come on. After that - you can’t miss it. The house is located just west of Home Depot and East of Ideal Homes. It is down a small unnamed court street. Take your time to find this spectacular display and don’t forget the cocoa!
If you are not able to make it, click here to see a video on their Facebook page.
Tim and Erica were not alone in their homage to the season.
Sara and Tony White put some really nice touches on their home this holiday season and it did not go without notice. The Dalles Beautification Committee awarded it for Traditional Holiday lighting.
These Elves are on watch for Santa at 922 E. 10th Street.
Sara and Tony White at 922 E. 10th Street also took a swing at landing Santa’s sleigh and stuffed their tree with an award. The Beautification Committee awarded them the Traditional Holiday Display Award.
Sara said she and Tony were on their fourth Christmas in the house and it’s as pretty inside as it is outside.
The Craftsman home is mostly intact with incredible woodwork on the interior that they have preserved and enhanced over the years.
Sara said their Christmas collection of decorations just keeps growing. And 20 years of bling enabled her and Tony and her father Jack Isaacs to give their neighborhood some charm.
Their bushes on the lawn even look like elves.
And no neighborhood is safe from Santa’s cheer. In mid-town, The Cornerstone Church on Mt. Hood Street is putting the call out to Santa while brightening the season for all.
The Beautification Committee gave the church the Futuristic award. It is at 1313 Mt. Hood Street. See the video below.
If you are interested in joining the Beautification Committee, please contact Mayor Rich Mays at rmays@ci.the-dalles.or.us
