The 2nd episode of Season 4 aired on Friday, December 5, 2016 to 5.43 million viewers making it the most viewed episode of the season by about a million more viewers than other episodes. In this eagerly anticipated second episode of the festive series, four families will showcase their spectacular decorations for a chance to win the Christmas Light Trophy and $50,000. See as the Taylor family celebrates with Emoji-themed decorations and an impressive 20-foot-high Frozen castle in Phoenix, Arizona; the Van Gent family creates a mesmerising light show accompanied by a synchronized float made by their technical guru in Redding, California; the DiMartino family honors the memory of their dearly beloved while raising over $190,000 for a Pediatric Cancer Unit in Staten Island, New York; and lastly, witness as young siblings Kloos make history as they compete on behalf of East Brunswick, New Jersey. It’s time to find out who will be named champion by judge Taniya Nayak.
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The Great Christmas Light Fight Displays
The Taylor Lights in Phoenix, Arizona of the Great Christmas Light Fight
The Taylors have been bringing festive light displays to their front yard in Ahwatukee at 3611 East Kachina Drive, featuring wooden art of characters from beloved films like “The Peanuts Movie” and “Frozen,” a sleigh for photos and interactive games, spanning over half a mile down Kachina Drive. It takes 700 hours of work put into creating this display. Though the hefty electric bill is always an issue (about 2-3 times what it usually is during December), Taylor said he loves sitting on his porch watching the community come together to see Christmas lights in Phoenix, Arizona. Inspired by fond memories of seeing Christmas lights as a kid in Ohio, Taylor wanted to provide similar experiences for kids like him.
Phoenix, Arizona is the most populous city in the Southwest United States. It’s known for its hot summers, year-round sunshine and outdoor activities like golfing, hiking, mountain biking and swimming. Phoenix also has a vibrant arts and culture scene with many museums and theaters to explore. The city is home to major sports teams like the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks and NFL’s Cardinals. Shopping is plentiful in the area, with malls ranging from an upscale outdoor complex to family-friendly indoor shopping hubs. Finally, for food lovers, Phoenix boasts an endless variety of restaurants that encompass traditional American dishes as well as regional Mexican cuisine.
The Van Gent Lights in Redding, California of the Great Christmas Light Fight
Redding Lights is a carefully choreographed display of over 760 custom-made light outlets that are synchronized to music. This is done with a master computer linked to 95 microcomputers located close to each light, and the whole setup takes many days and dozens of hours of pre-planning. From framing and wrapping lights to building controllers, it all comes together in early March before the family starts setting up in October (with some help from volunteers). Plus, the talented Mrs. Redding spends hundreds of hours selecting music and creating the show for each selection – she must manually assign dimming levels for every single one of those 760 channels 20 times per second! All this work pays off, giving viewers an impressive 30 minutes of sparkling holiday cheer.
Redding, California is a vibrant city situated in the Northern part of the state. The city has been named one of the top 10 most livable cities in California, offering tranquil living amidst nature’s beauty. Redding is surrounded by rolling hills and forestlands, and is home to a number of parks and recreational opportunities including Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Shasta State Historic Park. This outdoorsy city provides plenty of options for activities such as hiking, biking and boating. With an array of restaurants serving up local specialties like BBQ brown rice bowl, street tacos and fish sandwiches, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. In addition to its cultural attractions like Cascade Theatre, Turtle Bay Museum and Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding boasts entertainment venues for those looking for nightlife fun.
The Lights for Life in Staten Island, New York of the Great Christmas Light Fight
Joe DiMartino and his family have been lighting up the holiday season with Christmas lights on Staten Island every year with their interactive Christmas display, “Lights for Life”. Through his generosity, Joe has raised over $365,000 in memory of his late wife Debra Ann who was lost on September 11 2001 at the World Trade Center. All proceeds from the spectacular display go to support the children’s cancer center at Staten Island University Hospital – an institution which is also generously supported by Joe’s friends at Island Auto Group who match every donation up to $2,500. Joe fills every square inch of his property with animatronic scenes of Christmas joy, from Santa’s workshop at the North Pole to a Ferris wheel and Mrs Claus baking gingerbread. He asks that each guest take time to enjoy the show and remember why we celebrate…to spread the joy of this special season.
Staten Island is the southernmost of New York City’s five boroughs. Home to a diverse population of around 474,000 people, it enjoys a semi-rural atmosphere while also having excellent access to Manhattan via ferry or bridge. It is known for its stunning natural landscapes, such as Staten Island Greenbelt. Some of its most popular attractions include the St. George Theatre, Staten Island Zoo and Sandspit Amusement Park. The local cuisine offers many delicious options, such as pizza from Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria, seafood from Old Bermuda Inn and Italian pastries from Es-Ca Restaurant & Bakery. Staten Island is full of life and history – a great place to visit no matter what time of year!
The Kloos Lights in East Brunswick, New Jersey of the Great Christmas Light Fight
Bill and Ryan Kloos had a dream since Bill was 10, to create an elaborate Christmas light display for the family’s home. After many years of planning, 12 towers and 12,000 feet of cable later, they have finally created their dazzling masterpiece. This year’s display features over 160,000 twinkling lights with interactive art sculptures, themed Christmas trees and festive holiday music. With two 60-foot “megatrees” forming a walkway to the house and a rooftop Santa and reindeer with 250,000 lights in total – the property is like its own special winter wonderland!
The Jersey duo were featured on ABC’s Christmas Lights competition show – hoping to win the grand prize of $50,000. Bill graduated last year from Delaware Valley University with a degree in landscape architecture while Ryan studies business management at Middlesex County College. The brothers are also running their own landscaping company called Landscape Craftsmen in East Brunswick.
In addition to the financial prize, they are also rewarded by seeing how much joy it brings people who come to see the spectacle! The town has even closed off the cul-de-sac so that only pedestrians can access it. They have even decorated Rachael Ray’s studio for her show as part of promoting their episode – turning it into a magical Winter Wonderland in East Brunswick, New Jersey!
The Hosts of The Great Christmas Light Fight Season 4 Episode 2
About Taniya Nayak of The Great Christmas Light Fight
Taniya Nayak is an interior designer, television host, and entrepreneur. She is well-known for her appearances on HGTV’s Restaurant Impossible and A&E’s Flipping Boston. Her expertise in transforming spaces combined with her enthusiasm and knowledge of design has made her a sought-after expert by many celebrities, brands, and publications. Additionally, she launched Taniya Nayak Design in 2009 which provides design services to hospitality establishments across the country. Her debut book ‘The Power of Positivity: Transforming Your Life Using the 10 Principles of Positive Thinking’ was released in 2017 and has been praised for its insight into using positive thinking to create lasting change in your life. Taniya continues to bring creative solutions with a passionate eye for detail to everyday living experiences.
Taniya Nayak is making a name for herself throughout both the holiday décor and special needs communities. Last year, she had the honor of joining host Carter Oosterhouse as a judge on ABC’s popular holiday show The Great Christmas Light Fight – which gives families a chance to design stunning decorations for a big cash prize of $50,000! In addition to this, Taniya visits children’s hospitals across the US to spread cancer awareness and supports Special Olympics Massachusetts as an honorary coach and mentor.
About Carter Oosterhouse of The Great Christmas Light Fight
Carter Oosterhouse is an American television host, author, and carpenter. He is best known for his work on the shows Trading Spaces, Red Hot & Green, and Carter Can. He has authored two books – Carter’s Big Book of Home Solutions and Byron’s Crow’s Nest- both of which focus on do-it-yourself home improvement projects. His passion for woodworking began as a child while helping out in his father’s carpentry shop. After spending time in the construction industry, he broke into television hosting with Trading Spaces. Since then, he has become a highly sought-after speaker and spokesperson for numerous brands, charities and organizations. His current passion project is the Carter’s Kids program through Habitat for Humanity which helps to build homes for children in need all around the US.
Carter Oosterhouse is well-known for giving families across America his own special gift: the opportunity to create awe-inspiring holiday light displays and compete for a grand prize worth $50,000. As executive producer on The Great Christmas Light Fight in 2013, Oosterhouse ensures its smooth running each season. Beyond this, he is passionate about helping dog rescues throughout California – including Doggy Bonez & Catnip Dreams Animal Rescue in North Hollywood and Senior Paws Pet Adoptions in Sherman Oaks. Carter Oosterhouse has truly made a difference this holiday season!
