As a broadcast engineer, Chandler homeowner James Chalifoux likes tinkering with electrical stuff.
And as someone who likes to give back to his neighbors and community, he has constructed huge Christmas light and sound displays around his home since 2006 with thousands of lights, vintage blow-mold figures and synchronized music.
He dubs his display “Fouxlights.”
Chalifoux will be returning with his light show next weekend, running every day 5:30-11 p.m. through Jan. 6.
And with new additions to his display, he’s hoping people will not only turn out in droves but remember why he does this every year: to raise nonperishable food items for AZCEND’S pantry.
“Last year’s traffic was good, but food donations were almost 100 pounds less,” he said. “With the price of groceries seeming to have almost doubled this year I can only hope for the best.”
This year he’s added “a new, bigger gingerbread house with windows the kids can look in and see the gingerbread family celebrating the holidays.”
He’s also added a lighted candy cane archway leading into the immersive Candy Cane Lane path that kids are allowed to walk through – and visit with “plenty of new cartoon character blow molds, including Din Gruogu (aka baby Yoda), Minions, Scooby Doo, Frosty and Dumbo.”
Chalifoux starts working on the display right after Halloween. “I am always out front, tinkering and adding new stuff.”
He said he spends about 100 hours each season setting up the display and noted that because of his job, “running wires and programming circuits comes second nature to me.”
While he’s been doing it for years, about seven years ago he decided to use the display as a way to help AZCEND, a nonprofit that provides a variety of services to needy families with the mission of “alleviating poverty in our community.”
“I know this year even more families are struggling so I’m hoping for a second Christmas miracle.”
He has collected hundreds of pounds offood in the time that he’s been leaving a box for donations in his driveway.
So if you want to enjoy a Christmas light show and help an organization that does a lot for the community, head over to 1075 W. Mulberry Drive, near the intersection of Willis and Alma School roads and witness Chalifoux’s wonderland.
