Light display like no other

RONALD Grant is among several Barbadians who have found enjoyment and satisfaction in lighting up their premises as part of the annual Christmas celebrations. Where Grant definitely stands out however, is that he has brought a new and fresh approach to the lighting celebrations.

A technician by profession, one who admits to being very creative, Grant has invested much time, energy and resources in putting on this annual spectacle, which has won the admiration of not only his neighbours, but the increasing number of persons who have viewed the display annually throughout the Christmas season. The Barbados Advocate caught up with Mr. Grant and wife Margaret, who ably assists him year after year, outside their Enterprise Development, Christ Church home, which is bathed by the array of multi-colored lights, garlands, Christmas wreaths, balls, and other decorations.

The first thing he stated is that anything creative catches his attention given his technician job at the Central Bank of Barbados. This is something he looks forward to doing every year. “I love my lights and for me Christmas would not be complete without them,” he said of the spectacle, which has left many who have seen it, in awe.

Grant has been doing this for at least a decade. However, over the last six years, it has become a more professional undertaking, fired by some Internet research he did to gauge what others outside of Barbados were doing with similar lighting.

Grant said it has become a big thing overseas and a hobby for many. From his research, Grant also found those overseas were using professional equipment designed to install Christmas lights’ decorations in a more professional way.

Subsequently, he ordered some of the equipment to boost his display. That equipment allows him to install the lights in a safe way, have better control over them, and to have a system where the lights are linked to music. “Every year I would add something new, to where I am now … with a large display,” he quipped.

The lights Grant uses are imported commercial industrial lights, which are high quality LED lights that last longer. “So if you go to the Grant’s residence around this time, you are not going to see extension cords strewn all over the place and plugged into electricity outlets to power the lights,” he said. “There is order to the system where the lights are connected to what is called light controllers, which in turn are talking to a computer. The entire lighting system is running on a network where, from my computer, I can talk to each string of lights and tell them what to do. So I can turn them off, turn them on, tell them to fade, and when to flash, among other things,” Granted said. Importantly, his approach has an advantage over similar set ups.

In addition to the lights, are a number of decorations, comprising some hand-made elements created by Grant, to add variety to the display. They include poles with running lights, a cluster of “candles” made from PVC pipes, and images of reindeers carved from plywood.

One of the eye-catching props is a “Christmas tree” made from PVC pole, with strings of lights cascading from the centre. This design gives the appearance of pyramid shaped tree and the dancing lights add even more intrigue. “The reason why it is “dancing” as you can see, is part of an electrical circuit from the international display that is place,” he remarked.

Planning for the display is time consuming since, like any other project, one has to start with a concept. In fact, as soon as Christmas is over, Grant sets about planning for the next yuletide season to allow for add-ons to the display. In strategizing, Grant determines what new elements to include, like how many additional channels and circuits are required for the next project, the number of lights, and a theme for the forthcoming display. That can take many a month, after which he chooses to do an offline set up. During the time the project is being worked on, it is tested and executed as Christmas approaches.

Grant said it can take a couple of months if you want to do a proper job and because each light is wired individually. It takes time, especially for him – being employed full time at the Central Bank of Barbados. Since safety is important, nothing is taken for granted.

For Christmas 2020 Grant commenced work on his project from November 1, completing it by mid-December. “It is a big display, it is very involved and time consuming, but I love it,” he admitted to the Barbados Advocate. “It is a passion of mine, and that is why I do it every year because although it is a lot of work, I enjoy doing it,” he remarked while acknowledging the support from his wife and others.

“I enjoy not only the light display but also the process of setting it up,” he noted. He also gets tremendous satisfaction from his neighbours who come out to view the display and to photograph it. For those who queried the impact of the lights on his electricity bill, Grant said that because he uses LED lights, which are of a high quality, he hardly sees an increase in his December electricity bill. “But even if there is a major increase, it is something I like to do and would not mind any uptick in costs,” he stated flatly.