WEST LEBANON — If you’re planning a drive to look at lights this month, be sure to cruise by the Kilton Public Library.
That’s where you’ll be treated to DB Lights, an automated display created by 19-year-old Devon Blanchard. The lights blink on and off in sync with music that can be heard from FM station 95.1. It is on nightly from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Updates can be found at facebook.com/christmaslightshows.
It is the fourth year the light display has taken place in Lebanon and the second year at the Kilton Public Library, where it moved last year after two years on the Lebanon mall. Blanchard has been putting together a light display for eight years and each season it grows. He started using music synchronization last year. The lights run off solar power. In addition to putting his own funds, area businesses have also contributed to the cost of the display.
“It’s an all-year process, essentially,” Blanchard said during a tour of the display Tuesday night. He taught himself how to use a computer program that synchronizes the lights with music and each three- to four-minute song takes 40 hours to complete.
It’s a process Blanchard greatly enjoys. The light show is dedicated to the memory of his beloved uncle.
“Ever since I was younger, I fell in love with the idea of lights and Christmas,” he said. “It grew and grew every year.”
This year’s display took Blanchard about a month to set up, and he estimates he spent 100 hours a week on it. As opening night approached the first Friday of December, he was putting the finishing touches on it.
“That tunnel over there took a while to build,” Blanchard said, pointing out a tunnel draped with lights, which is one of his favorite parts along with a pair of singing light-up Christmas trees. “It did come out fantastic.”
The busiest time for the display tends to be weekends, and Blanchard’s favorite part is “seeing kids’ faces light up when I’m here.”
At one point during the interview, someone shouted out, “Thank you for the lights!” and Blanchard looked over at the voice.
“Stuff like that makes my day, definitely,” he said.
Don’t miss Upper Valley light stalwarts La Salette Shrine and Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial.
At La Salette, located at 410 Route 4A in Enfield, the lights are on from 5-9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The last day is Jan. 2.
At Joseph Smith, the lights are on every day from 4-10 p.m. through Jan. 1 at 357 LDS Lane in South Royalton.
And be sure to keep an eye out for maps of holiday decorations in towns including Windsor, Lebanon and Hartford. Find them on the Valley News Facebook page, Upper Valley Calendar, as they become available.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
