By: Nick Buglione
From late November to early January the home at 76 Palm Lane in Salisbury has been known to draw onlookers from around the neighborhood and bring passing cars to a slow roll with its lavish lights, bright decorations and all around Christmas cheer.
It-s a family tradition that-s gone on for the past two decades, growing in size and scope each year.
Having children of our own, when they were little it was something to look forward to, said Vinnie Biase, who, along with his wife Mary Ann, has two children, Stephen, 28, and Melissa, 19. Most of the decorations we carry from year to year and we add things. We try to change things around to give it a different look.
This year, the Biases have outdone themselves. One thousand Christmas lights line the family-s porch alone, with easily another 1,000 to 2,000 gracing the rest of their trees and shrubs.
It-s impossible for passersby to miss the five blowup statues that adorn the home or miss the distinct hum of the motors that keep them illuminated through the night.
There-s a grapevine reindeer on the lawn, which had a partner that was unfortunately stolen one year, and a bright sleigh on the roof with a Santa Clause hanging over the ledge as if to imply St. Nick slipped on the dismount.
Decorating begins on a strict schedule, every Friday after Thanksgiving no matter how inclement the weather. Last year was probably the coldest after Thanksgiving, said Mary Ann, who grew up in the house. We had to bundle up and do it in shifts. It kind of held us up a little.
In simpler times, the whole process took a day. But additions over the years have made decorating a two- to three-day affair.
For the Biases, it-s a crucial element of the holiday that embodies its true spirittogetherness. And although their children aren-t children anymore, they still look forward to the family-s time-honored tradition, their parents said.
My son Stephen lives in New Jersey and he was here [to decorate], Vinnie said. My daughter, she-s 19, and she-s still out there with us every year.
The ornaments the family puts out do more than symbolize the coming holidaythey mark time like a photo album. Strewn across that lawn and housefrom the nativity set that-s been in Mary Ann-s family since she was a little girl to the brand new gingerbread house they bought this yearare memories old and new.
It-s a tradition that will continue well into the future, the family said. We have no intention of stopping, Mary Ann said, so long as we stay healthy.
When grandparents take their grandchildren to see the lights, that-s just the icing on the cake. That makes it all worthwhile, she said. That-s in itself a thank you.
The family leaves the lights on all night and usually takes them down the Saturday following Jan. 6. Palm Lane is off Salisbury Park Drive, a few blocks west of Carman Avenue.
Comments about this story? NBuglione@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
