Popular Christmas Light Show at Westbrook, Maine Home Delayed by Windstorm

For the fifth year in a row, the Mead Family of Westbrook has put up a display of lights set to music that rivals anything Clark Griswold could have ever imagined. But this year, the powerful rain and winds we had on Wednesday evening have delayed the start of the shows of the weekend.

Todd Mead works all year round on the light show because of how much he enjoyed Christmas lights during his childhood, " I have fond memories as a kid at Christmas time riding around looking at lights and finding the “cool” Christmas lights," Todd told me in an e-mail. "I have decorated our house since our son was just a toddler and we use to take him around to find the cool light displays. I don’t think he enjoyed it but I did! When we moved to Westbrook from Windham and had a location that would be safe for visitors to park and watch the lights, I jumped right in!"

Did he ever! Last year his display used 8,000 individually computer-controlled LED pixel lights and a 12,000 LED video screen. The light shows are set to music. Everything from traditional Christmas classics, Disney songs and music from current artists.

What's the question that Todd gets asked the most about the light show? "How much is your electric bill?” he says. "$10-$15 a month to run the whole show." He can also control the entire show from his smartphone.

And what about the neighbors? "We have amazing neighbors that enjoy the lights and put up with the traffic each night. Many of them also have beautiful lights on display.  People can tour the neighborhood on the way out of the show and enjoy more lights."

The lights were up and ready to go for the weekend of December 3 and 4, but the nasty storm with high winds and heavy rain on Wednesday did some damage to the display that needs repair before Todd can flip the switch.

I spoke with Todd Friday evening and he told me that he's hoping to get out on Sunday after Saturday's wind dies down to get repairs done and have it up and running soon.

The Meads not only give to the community during the holidays with this amazing light show, but this is the fourth year they are collecting donations for the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. "We collect food, supplies, toys, towels, blankets, all sorts of things from their wish list. We also accept cash donations on-site at the show." There's a green donation box in front of the house.

Once the repairs are made, shows will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 46 Jacqueline Way in Westbrook, right off Spring Street. Operation times will expand to nightly during Christmas week.