Locals visit holiday light displays on Christmas despite rain

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KION) Despite a Christmas downpour, some people donned their rain gear to take a stroll down Candy Cane in Pacific Grove Wednesday. Those who didn't want to brave the elements instead took a drive.

“We had planned to come out on Christmas day and unfortunately it’s raining so we’re improvising, but we’re super excited. this is really cool.”

The residential area on Morse Drive turns into a winter wonderland around the holidays featuring life sized gingerbread houses and larger than life toys. During this time of year, the street is known as Candy Cane Lane.

The umbrellas came out so people could enjoy the lights outside. But most stayed dry and warm in the cars, sheltered from the rainy weather.

“I just like it because it’s the Christmas spirit and it’s fun to watch it,” said Sophie, a young girl who walked around Candy Cane Lane with her family on Christmas.

Residents here say this is a tradition that’s been going strong for close to 65 years. Neighbor Al Borges has been participating for more than 30.

“I used to play Santa Claus across the street for 20 years and we used to give candy canes to the kids and stuff like that," Borges said.

Over in Prunedale, another extravagant Christmas lights display at a home on Charter Oak Blvd lit up the night sky.

It features more than 30,000 lights that are synchronized to music.

The mastermind behind it, Todd Fridey, told KION it took about 200 man hours with set up and take down. But it’s something he’s done over the years for his grandkids.

“It started out quite small. The grandkids loved it. It wasn’t even hooked up to music or synchronized at the time, but we've grown,” Fridey said.

Drivers passing by can tune into radio to listen to the light show.

If you haven’t gotten the chance to see the displays, they’ll be up through the end of the year.