The Goulds is lit thanks to a Christmas light display that draws a crowd - Action News
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The Goulds is lit thanks to a Christmas light display that draws a crowd

If you drive down Main Road in the Goulds area of St. John's, you can't miss Doug O'Reilly's house.

Doug O'Reilly has been lighting up faces for more than 40 years

Doug O'Reilly's home in the Goulds really shines this time of year. (Submitted by Perry J. Howlett)

If you drive down Main Road in the Goulds part of St. John'syou won't can't miss Doug O'Reilly's house.

His entire home is covered with a festive glow thanks toa light display that would bring a smile to even ClarkGriswold'sface.

"It's something we have always done over the years," O'Reillysaid."My mother always loved Christmas lights, so I stayed at it and I keep adding on."

There's lights on the fences, the trees, his house and even a giant festive greeting on his roof.

"I love my 'Noel' on the roof,"O'Reilly said. "All I needis just one more person to pass it up to me."

Doug, Betty and Natasha O'Reilly pose in front of the Nativity scene with real hay. (Submitted by Perry J. Howlett)

O'Reillyis responsible for the outside, his wife Betty takes care of the interior design, and the only help he gets is from his granddaughter, Natasha.

He has no idea how many lights there are, how many decorations he uses or what the power bill is.O'Reillyis just looking to bring a little cheer to children this time of year.

"Everybody comes to see it. They like to see it," he said. "Everybody likes to see it, so we just do it to keep it going for everybody."

Doug O'Reilly gets a little help from his granddaughter Natasha. (Submitted by Perry J. Howlett)

As one might imagine, it takes a lot of work each year to fill your yard with lights, blow up Santas and put out a Nativity Scene with real hay.

"I usually start in November and I have to have it finished by the 13th of December, because that's when I put them all on," O'Reilly said.

There is no significant to the Dec. 13 date; it's just the one he has used to launch his display for more than 40 years. It's aGoulds Christmas tradition he will keep going until, he joked, he is in the ground.

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