BY ANDY TAYLOR
This Is My Montgomery County: a regular series
CHERRYVALE — Cherryvale is glowing with Christmas cheer this week, and local residents can thank a group of families in the vicinity of East First Street for having the Christmas magic radiating through the skies.
Four families have combined efforts to not only festoon their properties with Christmas lights and inflatable images but also make the event a fun contest for all area residents. Rodney and Julie Blasor along with Rick and Cheryl Valverde, Jack Blasor and Saundra Leonard, are asking local residents to guess the number of lights that are involved in the four-family lighting display, which stretches over several blocks.
Julie said she and Cheryl Valverde got the idea for a neighborhood light display after remembering the light displays at Candy Cane Lane in Coffeyville. Blasor said she wanted to recreate that same imagery and passion that Candy Cane Lane residents used to create every yuletide season.
“It all began with illuminated candy canes, and we started lining our yards with those candy canes,” said Blasor. “But, it grew from there.”
Now, the neighbors have dozens of inflatable characters including some that dance to holiday tunes. Roof lines, sheds, dog houses, garages, fences, trees and anything else standing erect has been wrapped in holiday lights.
“We all do our own lights, but after someone is done, they usually go to the next yard and help the other person out,” said Blasor.
Blasor said traffic in the neighborhood of East First Street has grown in recent nights when the displays are fully lit.
“It’s amazing to hear the motorists stop and roll down the windows,” she said. “I’ll hear a little kid in the car squeal and say, ‘Hey, mom, do you see those lights?’ And, then, that’s when I realize that this whole effort is worth it.”
As an added bonus, Santa Claus will make an appearance in the neighborhood from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13 and 19-20. Bring a camera for a free picture with Santa Claus.
Area residents can guess the number of lights used in the displays. The person who guesses the closest number without going over the actual number will win a $25.00 gift certificate from Newton’s Hardware. The person closest to guessting the most lights going over the actual number of lights will receive a free dinner for two from Pam’s Place in Cherryvale.
The contest began on Nov. 28 and will continue through Dec. 31. Contestants can drop off their guesses at Newton’s Hardware, Pam’s Place or at the Blasor home at 509 E. First.
The East First Street light display includes four properties starting at First and Summit streets.
• Born and raised in Montgomery County, Andy Taylor is a fifth-generation newspaper editor who keeps his ear on the pulse of Montgomery County. If you have a story idea about a unique person or event in Montgomery County, let Taylor know by calling (620) 331-9178, or send an e-mail to chronicle@taylornews.org.
