How many extension cords does it take to power up 31,000 LED lights for Christmas? The answer is over 100 cords, according to light enthusiast Manny Duarte, 56, of Middletown. That’s the current setup for his third annual holiday display in his front yard (103 Cazier Drive, Middletown), which the public is free to view daily from 5 p.m. to midnight, until at least Jan. 1.
Duarte gained national attention last Christmas season after The News Journal / Delaware Online reported he spent over $20,000 for that holiday show.
That display featured 24,000 LED lights that he operated using multiple controllers, along with software he used to program his flashing lights so they dance in sync with the music.
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This year he upped the ante with thousands of extra lights, plus an Instagrammable backdrop he created for visitors that features electronic wings that change colors.
Duarte said he anticipates his electric bill will be similar to last year, which was around $500.
Whether cruising along in a car or walking on foot, folks within a few blocks of his house can listen to holiday tunes over the radio by tuning into 97.7 FM.
Guests can visit Duarte’s website (https://mannyslights.remotefalcon.com/remoteFalcon) to select the next song to be played at his light display.
New tunes this year include Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Wizards in Winter” and the David Crowder*Band’s “Here Is Our King.”
Duarte’s bringing back 12 favorites from last year like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” and The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.”
Duarte, a husband with five kids, is an IT specialist and he owns a company named Omnimaven. He handles everything from running network wires, setting up servers and PCs, wireless networks, phone systems and security cameras.
The News Journal caught up with Duarte who shed light on the positive and “weird” feedback he said he received from last year’s holiday show.
Question: How did people respond to your holiday show in 2021?Answer: After you guys ran the story, it was pretty big. There were lines of cars out in front. It was pretty neat to see everyone come out and look at it.
Did some people last year think you spent too much on lights?I got actual text messages on Facebook of people telling me that I should spend my money better or that I should donate the money instead and I could’ve fed [a lot] of people… it’s just kind of weird. People always have to look on the negative side of things.What’s your reaction to that?I could see if I came to you and said, ‘Hey, ‘I’m broke and I need money to feed my family,’ but then I go and spend the money on the lights. That’s one thing. But I’m not asking for money and I work hard for what I have. Ask people how much they spend when they go fishing. Why are they going fishing and spending $500 on a fishing trip when you could be donating it to the food bank?
What do you get out of doing your light show?I love lights and I love Christmas. And it’s really about celebrating Jesus’ birth… I’m not asking for money or anything. The best thing to me is when I look out there and I see kids. You see them when they get out of the car and they’re dancing and singing to the music. That’s why I do this.
What’s a Christmas tradition you have with your family?We hang out together all day, the parents and the kids, and we play games all day. It’s fun. We play games like Pictionary and Texas Hold’em [laughs]. My kids always come up with different board games.
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Andre Lamar is the features/lifestyle reporter. If you have an interesting story idea, email Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com.
