Spectacular Christmas Lights Display Honors Teen Hero

PARK RIDGE, IL - For 11 months of the year, the Grant-Grusecki home at 528 Engel Boulevard in Park Ridge doesn't stick out among the many nice homes in the Chicago suburbs. But in December, it becomes one of the top tourist attractions in the Midwest.

"There are hundreds of people outside," Tina Grusecki told Park Ridge Patch over the phone on a Monday night.

Grusecki and family have operated a dazzling Christmas lights display at their home for the last four years. Each time, they pick a charity cause to raise money for.

This year, that cause is to assist the family of Benicio "Benny" Martinez, a 13-year-old Park Ridge boy who led his class by shaving his head bald in a St. Baldrick's Day fundraiser last year only to be diagnosed with a brain tumor days later.

"Benicio is a hero," Grusecki said. "And this is all about community."

The family's goal to is raise $50,000 for Martinez and the St. Baldrick's Foundation through an online fund and donation boxes outside the home. In years past, the family has raised money for military personnel overseas and Misericordia.

Every year, there's a lights display that pays homage to the military and all the troops. The words "Army" and "Marines" appear in the display. Here's a look at their tribute to the troops this year.

The "Park Ridge Lights" display has grown every year since it began, with its most impressive display yet on display on weeknights and Sundays from 5-8:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5-9:30 p.m. until Dec. 26 this year.

New to this year's display is a "giant grid" on top of the house, Grusecki said, and the words "Benicio Strong."

The idea for the massive display began when Grusecki would tell her children about the Christmas lights displays she remembered growing up in Lincolnwood.

"There were fantastic Christmas lights displays and our family would pile into a car and drive around to see them every year," Grusecki said. "I told my youngest son about it and he said that sounds cool, why don't you do it?"

It took a few years of studying how others put together choreographed displays, most of which were in places in the country with much warmer climates than the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

"We've had some warm weather here this year too, and that has made the turnout fantastic," Grusecki said.

Take a look at a video of the display below. And for the full experience, check it out in person.

Photos by Justin Breen / BrEpic Communications