The Illabo Christmas Lights are some of the biggest and brightest in the region and feature 40,000 separate lights. Photo: Supplied.
For many people, Christmas lights are the best part of the festive season.
They can transport people away to a wonderland of bright colours and joy, while for others it’s a fun way to enjoy an evening with the family.
For Mel and Nick Barker, Christmas lights have meant just that little bit extra.
Hundreds of people are expected to walk through the display. Photo: Supplied.
Having met when they were only 10 years old, the pair’s first memories of each other are of visiting a lights display in their hometown. Fast-forward a decade and the two had their first date while, you guessed it, looking at Christmas lights.
So it is no shock that when the two celebrate the silly season, they bring out lights of their own. What might shock you is just how epic their display is.
Featuring more than 40,000 lights across a 1011-square-metre area, the Barkers’ home is in contention for the biggest and best display in the Riverina.
“It’s always been something that’s been important to both of us for our whole lives together,” Mel said.
“We first started decorating when we were living in Sydney. We got a rental property together and thought, we have to decorate it. We started with the front and back yard and it’s kept on growing.”
Mel and Nick packed up their lights and decided to make the trip to the Riverina in 2019. Setting up camp in Illabo, the duo took a little time to understand just how many lights they needed.
“Our property here is considerably bigger than where we were in Sydney,” Mel said.
“The first year we set up here, it looked a bit sparse. It didn’t quite fill up the space and looked a little awkward. We sort of started putting out some more decorations and growing a bit bigger from there.
“I think it was the very first Christmas, we had some locals from one of the farms come out, and they had young kids, and they couldn’t really see the details of the cutouts and things that we put up. And they asked if they could come in and look around properly.
“I went, ‘Yeah, but, you know, be careful because there are cords around and don’t want anyone to trip over and get hurt in the dark’. And that’s when we sort of went and hung on. Why don’t we make it a walk-through display and put pathways? That way we know no one’s going to trip over anything.
“The very next year, we did that and we quite quickly realised that that meant we needed even more things because we had more space to cover. Instead of just decorating the street [side], we had to decorate the front, back and sides. Basically anywhere the pathway went around.”
Many of the lights in the display have are over 25 years old and have been handed down by Nick’s parents. Photo: Supplied.
Despite interruptions in 2021 due to COVID-19 and a pause in 2023, Mel and Nick have continued to expand their wonderland and the people of Illabo, Junee and Wagga have taken notice.
“We’ve had people from as far as Sydney come down to visit,” Mel said.
“People come multiple times every year and that’s exactly why we do it. People love coming, and they always compliment us and tell us how great it looks. While I really appreciate it, I always have that thought at the back of my mind: How can this be better? Could I have done this differently?
“It wasn’t until a little boy said, ‘It’s like a dream’ that I realised how much people love it, it really did throw me.”
This year, the Illabo Christmas Lights, as they are now known, will be raising funds for the Lake Road Veterinary Hospital. The Barkers said they loved animals and any small donation would help a great cause.
“We have a new attraction this year. It’s a set of standing lights that spell out The Illabo Christmas Lights,” Mel said.
“So many people have taken pictures in front of them or asked me to take a photo out with them. Those same people have really supported the fundraising we are doing and we’re so grateful.”
The Illabo Christmas Lights will be running through to Christmas night and Mel has suggested coming for a visit after 9 pm.
Families can view the lights every night up until Christmas between 8:30 and 10:30 pm. Photo: Supplied.
”We will run the lights every night from now until Christmas night between 8:30 pm and 10:30 pm,” she said.
“We have a few solar lights that kick in after 9 pm, so that would definitely be the best time to see them. We have plenty of parking and plenty of space out the front of the property. It does normally get a bit busy the last weekend before Christmas, but we would love for as many people to visit as possible.”
To visit the Illabo Christmas Lights, head to 5/11 Howell Street or search Illabo Christmas lights in Google Maps.
Loading ...
