Wall Christmas Light Show Shut Down For 2017

WALL, NJ — A Christmas lights display at a Wall Township home that has drawn thousands of people for the last 11 years is on hiatus, at least for this year.

"Due to logistical and municipal issues, we are unable to produce The Christmas Light Show at the Woolley Road location for the 2017 Christmas season," a post on the Facebook page for the show said. "We have searched tirelessly to find an alternate location which preserves the spirit of the show and works both financially and logistically for the crew and families involved. Unfortunately, we have been unable to find a suitable location; there will be no show for the 2017 Christmas season."

The light show, created by brothers Dan and Brian Brateris and hosted by the Epps family, has been a three-night event in December that drew thousands of residents and raised money for charities that supports athletic programs for children with special needs.

The holiday displays have featured heavy metal versions of holiday music and spectacular pyrotechnics; according to postings on Patch by the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where Dan Brateris is a professor, the holiday display has also been a method to help teach his students about real-world applications of their studies.

The event grew from a display the brothers, who own the deejay company DJ Dan Productions, made with unused lights from their company. Bill Epp, father of their friend Ryan Epp, saw it and offered his property for the display.

The brothers and several friends would spend more than two months setting up the display for the three-night event. But the growth in the size of the event led to issues with parking and traffic.

According to an Asbury Park Press report, municipal officials were concerned with the safety of pedestrians crossing Belmar Boulevard at night, because the area is poorly lit. Attempts to move it to other locations in town were not workable because of issues of storing equipment and supplies while the light show was being constructed.

"The circumstances are out of our control," the group said on Facebook. "We truly appreciate the unconditional support, love, and dedication you have shown us over the past 11 years. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine the Christmas Light Show would amount to what it has become. We are truly honored that so many of you have made our show a family tradition and have joined us in supporting a local charity. We would not have been able to do it without you, our amazing fans."

The event has raised more than $10,000 per year in the last several years for Rally Cap Sports (click here to donate), the group said.

The Epp home will be lit, and the group is looking for ways to revive the light show for 2018, the post said.

"We hope the lights will still provide cheer and happiness to all those who view them," they said. "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for spending the last 11 Christmases with us. We look forward to seeing everyone again in 2018!"

Here's a 3-minute clip of the 2013 show, and below it, the 14-minute video of the 2011 show:

Epp home on Wooley Road lit up in 2013, from the Christmas Light Show YouTube video