The annual Christmas Light Show that attracts thousands of people to a quiet Wall Township neighborhood kicked off its 2012 schedule Friday night.

(Photo by Rob Spahr / NJ.com)

WALL TOWNSHIP – Dan Brateris - an engineer with a part-time DJ company - rarely took DJ jobs during the Christmas season, so he could spend more time with his loved ones during the holidays.

So seven years ago, the Lake Como resident, along with some family and friends, decided to put the pile of unused DJ gear to good use by putting on a Christmas light show on a house in a typically quiet Wall Township neighborhood.

Set to a medley of songs by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the show features synchronized lighting, strobe lights, lasers, fog machines and 20-foot-high flames.

“This is kind of a different show than others. It’s more than just Christmas lights, it’s more like going to a rock show,” Brateris said. “We don’t want to get wacky. We just try to make the effects a little bigger and better every year, without having too much overkill or making it overly confusing.”

See a video of portions of this year's show here

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The show has been such a hit, that it has grown in both scope and attendance every year. Last year, more than 6,000 people attended the show, which ran twice a night for two nights.

“It’s been growing extraordinarily fast. But we have good people working on this and we keep forging on,” said Brateris, adding this year’s 20-minute show has added a third night to accommodate the increasing demand.

Reviews of the show’s premier Friday night seemed to be unanimous.

"It was a sensory explosion," said Nancy Siegel, of Brick Township.

"It was a great way to celebrate the holidays and get into the Christmas spirit," Eatontown resident Cyndi Johnston said.

“It was fabulous,” said Ann Milton, of Wall Township. “It couldn’t have been any better.”

Brick Township resident Jil Von Ohlen had heard about the light show for the past several years, but was never motivated to attend in person until this year.

“After Hurricane Sandy, I needed something that was a little change of pace,” she said. “They did a great job with this. It definitely puts you in the holiday spirit.”

It takes a crew of a half-dozen people more than two months to prepare for light show, but they do not charge anyone to see the show or for the food and drinks they serve.

All they ask is for donations, from those able to give, not to help offset the substantial expense of putting on the show, but rather to benefit Challenge Youth Sports – a local charity that helps provide recreational opportunities for physically challenged children.

And even though the party brings crowds, loud noises and hundreds of cars to the residential neighborhood, Brateris said they have only received a couple of complaints in seven years.

“There have been a couple of Grinches, but overall everyone has been very supportive,” he said.

This could be because the neighbors appreciate the motives behind it.

“I don’t mind it at all,” said Carl Parcesepe, who lives in the neighborhood. “There is a lot of people here, but they don’t charge anyone to see it. They’re supporting a good cause and getting people into the holiday spirit. I think it’s great.”

Christmas Light Show schedule:

· 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15

· 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23

If you plan to attend any of the shows, which take place at 2702 Wooley Road in Wall Township, it is recommended that you arrive 25 to 30 minutes early to find parking and walk to the show.

For more information on the Christmas Light Show visit http://djdanonline.com