Johnny's Light Show In Hazlet Is Up And Dazzling

HAZLET, NJ - Think of every movie, television show or even advertisement about the competitive nature of the Christmas light show, whichever one is your favorite. The ones below could literally outshine all of them.

A fixture since 2012, Johnny Hazlet’s Holiday Lights features 75,000 lights and 24 blowups. Santa is expected Dec. 15 and updates about other potential holiday VIPs will be posted on the Johnny Facebook page. At least one other is leaving Whoville for the evening to make an appearance in Hazlet. Between Dec. 15 and Dec. 23, Santa will be available to poss for pictures.

The lights go on at dusk, typically around 6 p.m., and go off around 10 p.m. to give neighbors the chance to properly close their eyes against all that reflected glory. Depending on visitors and the whim of Santa, the lights on certain days could shine for an additional hour, shutting down at 11 p.m. Parking could be a bit of a challenge and so Johnny recommends parking on side roads near Baur Avenue, which is a dead-end street. Be aware that many pedestrians - particularly children who are sometimes known to let go of mommy's or daddy's hand and bolt to the show - are walking nearby.

Johnny warns there is no place to park on Baur and no place to turn around. Last year, the Hazlet Police Department blocked off the road and provided crossing services. They did this on their own good so if they are present again this year, follow their instructions.

Johnny's display came up in the annual Christmas Lights blog compiled by Fun Thingsto Do in New Jersey so you can check there if you are looking for displays closer to home. The blog post includes home or business displays in every section of the state.

Johnny’s Hazlet Holiday Extravaganza is not created by a professional entertainment company but Johnny himself. With 24 inflatables, 100,000 lights, a new 50 x 50 walk-through display, assorted decorations and an illuminated trellis, Johnny’s Hazlet Holiday Light Extravaganza is a bright star - and some would say that literally.

Nearby is the display installed at the Gress House at 14 Johnson Ave., in Union Beach. Their candles get burning around dusk and go dark about 10 p.m. every day through the new year. Their program this year has gone green, with about 90% of the lights being LED. The Gress House is raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network of Mountainside. Last year, family members raised more tho $3,000 and hope to top that in 2017.

This walk-up display is installed along a narrow cul-de-sac so visitors are advised to park on Broadway and to be respectful of private residences not associated with the light show.

Aiming for the central Jersey Shore region? Try the work of the Sims family at 620 Central Ave. in Spring Lake Heights. Their lights get turned on a little earlier, 5 p.m. every night and go dark at 10:30 p.m.. There is an extra half hour of illumination on Fridays and Saturdays and the display is weather permitting so check their Facebook page for announcements and updates. This is one of the displays that links its audio display so if a little Christmas melody puts you in the mood, tune to 103.9 FM WBEN.

Their neighbors, the Sisti family of the 300 block of Pitney Avenue in Spring Lake, also are heavy hitters. Their display of 24,000 lights glows from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. thru Jan. 1. Tune into 103.9 WBEN FM to listen to the music.

Nearby is the display at 2702 Woolley Road in Wall where the display will shine from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today, Dec. 11, and Dec. 17. Celebrating its 11th anniversary, The Christmas Light Show has been held at various houses in the neighborhood before settling on Woolley Road in 2010. This show is free but donations are encouraged. All proceeds benefit RallyCap Sports (formerly Challenged Youth Sports), a local organization that provides recreational athletic opportunities for children with special needs.

Although this spectacle takes place at a private home on Woolley Road, visitors are required to park at the North Wall Little League Fields, located at 2744 Belmar Boulevard.

Drivers and visitors should be advised that the stretch of New Bedford Road between Belmar Boulevard and Woolley Road (in front of Colfax Plaza) will be closed to vehicles to allow for pedestrian traffic.

After Woolley Road, you may want to turn the car around and head for 8 Timber Drive in Ocean Township, where the lights will shine through Dec. 31 Sundays thru Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m and on Fridays and Saturdays until 11 p.m.

The MacCary Christmas light show has been an Ocean tradition since 2003. It is a winner of the Ocean Today Christmas Light Contest in 2008. Mood music is at 95.1 FM.

Head to Western Monmouth County for the light show at 43 Heather Drive in Manalapan, where the display is up between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18.

The Iantosca family invites you to support its chosen charity: Pediatric Services at CentraState Healthcare System.

Whether they are big or very big, holiday light shows are a popular tradition. Image via Shutterstock