Each year at our home, we put on a Christmas light display that would rival the Griswold’s. We've named it the Baker Family Christmas Extravaganza of Lights and Music and this will be our 4th year, 2nd year in Cranberry Township. All the lights are sequenced to Christmas music and it's really great fun for kids and families.
The idea to do this was born long ago when my now husband watched a YouTube video of a display out in Ohio. Wayne’s an Electrical Engineer and he’s always working on something. We met in 2007 and when Christmas came around, Wayne told me about his dream. At that time I had no idea what I was getting myself into with these Christmas lights!
So in 2010, the dream became a reality and we launched Baker Family Christmas. While this was our first year, Wayne created a display of over 16,000 lights all sequenced to music. The 2011 display was even bigger and better. In 2012, we moved to Cranberry Township and launched the show here. It was a huge undertaking to revamp the display in a few short months between the time we moved in and Christmas, but somehow we again managed to get it all up and running with even more lights.
The 2013 show display will contain over 28,000 lights, 750 dimmable channels, approximately 3,000 feet of extension cords, and will take enough electricity to REALLY make the meter spin. The show is definitely a family effort. While Wayne builds all the controllers and sequences the songs, I help with lighting the decorations used in the show, and even our son pitches in by suggesting songs, helping to put up lights, and can even be heard doing voiceovers during the program.
Also as part of the festivities, we collect donations to benefit children with special needs. Early in the development of the show, we decided to do our part and try to give back to those who have helped us during our family’s journey with Autism as our son, Chris, had been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in 2008.
Chris is currently a 5th grader at Pace School in Churchill. Pace is dedicated to educational and therapeutic treatment of kids with Autism and other special needs. Chris has attended Pace since he was in 1st grade and Pace has helped our family immensely over the years. From our first tour, we knew this was a school that could understand and help our son educationally and emotionally. With the help of the passionate educators, therapists, and staff at Pace, Chris has been able to learn how to cope with everyday situations, build friendships, and reach his full potential. There is no greater gift than to see your child happy, healthy, and succeeding. Pace has given us that gift, so we have dedicated Baker Family Christmas to doing the same for others.
100% of all donations received go to help provide extras for the students at Pace such as: bringing technology to the classrooms, converting courtyards to exciting play areas, creative arts programs, providing field trips, etc. If you would like to learn more about Pace please go to www.paceschool.org.
Now you know a little more about our family and why we started Baker Family Christmas. Bringing the show to life each year is hard work, but it’s a joy that cannot be matched. The 2013 show will launch on November 29th at 5:00 pm and will run each night to 11:00 pm through January 4, 2014. I have attached the flyer for this year's show for you as well. You can also visit our page on Facebook at “Baker Family Christmas” to see photos, videos, and get more updates on the lights.
We are excited to unveil the new show and eager to spread the word to as many as people as possible in the Pittsburgh area. If you would see fit to pass this onto your friends, family, and readers we would greatly appreciate it!
We truly hope everyone enjoys the show as much as we've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Merry Christmas!
Jennifer & Wayne Baker
