The lighting ceremony for the 8th Annual Kentlands Christmas syncopated light show orchestrated and designed by Kentlands resident Mikel Draghici at his home was well attended this year by more than 30 neighbors and friends who ventured out in the cold to watch the awaited show.

On Saturday, Nov. 30, Draghici turned on this year’s lights and music, a combination of incandescent and RGB pixel lights, with a new tree wrapping this year that can be set to any color or animated to any sequence. Adding pixel lights over the years has brought movement and life to a big Christmas sign, flying reindeer, icicles, the wreath, banister, and even the steps leading up to the two-story home.

Draghici was inspired to incorporate more movement with pixel lights by the Osborne lights show he and his family saw at Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida starting in 2012. “I was awestruck. I went home and thought I could build similarly. It seemed very complicated, but I cast away my fears and doubts and took a leap,” said Draghici. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights that inspired Draghici was originally constructed by an Arkansas businessman as a gift for his six-year old daughter. This popular light and music show played annually at Disney Studios during the holiday season from 1995 to 2016.

Visitors are welcome to stop by 202 Little Quarry Road every evening in December, starting at 4:30 to 5 p.m. to see the lights turn on. This is followed by the music and light show that starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 9:30 pm. The last day of the show will be Saturday, Jan. 7.

“We mostly get visitors on the weekends,” Draghici said. “It warms my heart to have people tell me that they come every year or that their child looks forward to seeing the reindeer lights.”

Over the years, Draghici has asked light show visitors for donations to nonprofits. In 2012, Draghici’s son, Brandon, asked his father if they could have donations go to helping people who are contemplating suicide, as Brandon has a friend whose father committed suicide. Donations can be made either online to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, afsp.org, or at a box located at the front of the house.

Follow the show and any cancellations due to bad weather on Facebook, search “Kentlands Christmas.”