'Monticello Lights' fundraiser will benefit Project Bundle-Up, Delmont police this year

Clark Griswold’s got nothing on the residents of Monticello Drive.

Between a dozen of them, they will invest more than 200 hours and use more than 500 strands of lights as they decorate their Delmont homes and yards for the annual Monticello Lights fundraiser.

“We’ve added lights, repurposed some things and have a new surprise in store for the front yard,” organizer Kelly Mazon said of her decorations.

Monticello Lights has grown over the past few years to include the entire neighborhood, as residents compete for the best decorations. The winner will be determined Dec. 10-11, as the public is invited to drive through the neighborhood and “vote” by donating at the house of their choice.

This year, donations will be split between Project Bundle-Up and the Delmont Police Department.

Last year, Mazon and her husband, Chuck, re-created the Eat’n Park star commercial in their front yard. And while they’d love to put up a whole new display this year, cost is a big consideration.

“Most of us can’t afford to go out and buy all new stuff, so a lot of us are looking to change things up using what we have,” Mazon said.

One of her neighbors has the whole neighborhood curious.

“He posted a photo of the work he was doing in the front yard, and I joked that he probably should reach out to PA One Call,” Mazon said. “He told us he already did. So it’s killing us all to know what the heck he’s going to do.”

From lights to inflatables, greenery, wreaths and candles, all of Monticello Drive will be glowing come the second weekend of December.

Below, see drone video from last year’s event.

Last year, Monticello Lights raised more than $20,000 for Project Bundle-Up and the Delmont Volunteer Fire Department.

On the Monticello Lights Facebook page, several neighborhood residents took advantage of the warm early-November weather to get a jump on their decorating schemes.

“Every neighbor I’ve talked with is trying to find ways to make their display new and fun, without it costing an arm and a leg,” Mazon said.

Monticello Lights will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10-11 along Monticello Drive in Delmont.

For more information, visit MonticelloLights.org.