By Sean Sullivan

In the Christmas lights department, residents of Natick’s Surrey Lane give Clark Griswold a run for his money. That fictional, try-hard and fail-harder father from the classic holiday film seeks to outdo his neighbors with an epic display of holiday lights.

Plugging them in sets dials on his electrical meter spinning like propellers, drains and dims houses throughout surrounding suburbs.

Where Griswold won in terms of sheer wattage, Natick resident Michael Ricard gets top marks in the creativity category. For connoisseurs of Christmas lights, his Natick display has long been a staple and favorite. The elaborate holiday light show features an ensemble of illuminated Christmas icons, timed to the melodies of classic seasonal songs.

Via radio, viewers can tune into the streaming music from their cars, watch the synched light show play out on Ricard’s lawn. He uses technology the Griswolds hadn’t access to (the film premiered in 1989), such as led lights, the software and hardware needed to choreograph lights and music.

Ricard said he spent a good portion of his summer and winter downtime days on maintenance duty for the impending holiday light and sound show. With tens of thousands of individual lights to account for, it’s a deliberate and painstaking process.

New songs were added to the playlist also, and each had to be programmed into the system to sync with its software. Ricard is an engineer by trade, and thus all that patience and attention to detail was within his wheelhouse.

“So this is a fun hobby for me,” he said. “We’ve replaced a lot of old lights.”

On December 15th and 16th, the Ricard family will host a collection bin for non-perishable food items, destined for the Natick Service Council. The bin will of course be impossible to miss, marked with an illuminated sign all its own.

The light show has its own dedicated website, where details of the December extravaganza can be found. Ricard flipped the on switch for his “Christmas on Surry” display on Nov. 23rd.

A week earlier, Bacon Street Farms had its long strings of overhead bulbs installed. They would illuminate the small forest of Christmas trees that customers would meander among and choose from. In the middle of last month, those netted trees’ branches were still snugly bound, stacked like logs on the lawn, soon to be whisked away atop many a car roof.

A few miles away, the switch will be flipped on the Natick Common’s holiday lights on Saturday, December 2nd. Department of Public Works crews were busy in weeks prior, threading bulb-studded strands through this anchor and around that pole.

“We’re looking to make this a really nice event for everybody,” said Tori Magarie. She’s Assistant Director of Programs and Special Events for Natick’s Recreation and Parks Department. Having taken on the role in September, this will be her first time planning the holiday event.

Magarie grew up in Natick, taught 7th grade English in Wellesley for 15 years. She’s kept connected with Natick now and then since she was a teenager, but her new role with the town is a milestone.

“It’s like coming home.”    

In leadup to the lighting, the guy in the red suit will tour the town atop a ladder truck, on loan from the Natick Fire Department.

“So it’s kind of like a mini parade,” said Magarie. “And decorations, which I love.”

A map of Santa’s route is available for onlookers who want to catch a glimpse of the big guy riding by. His tour of the town will end at the Natick Common, where he’ll do the honors of kindling the Christmas lights for the season.

“You have that magical moment,” said Magarie. “He is kind of the pinnacle of the event. This is an opportunity for people to come together.”

The December 2nd event will also feature activities for kids and families, and a holiday story read by a member of the Select Board. The festivities surrounding the common were sponsored by Sincere, a technology company.

Unlike the Ricards, who give an approximate bulb count (nearly 42,000) for their front-yard festivities, Magarie said the town hadn’t kept track of all those points of light as town employees deployed them over weeks.   

“They deserve a lot of credit for that,” said Travis Farley of the DPW’s work in stringing holiday lights and adorning the space with decorations. On the big night, “We just flick a switch.”

Farley is Natick’s Deputy Director of Recreation and Parks.

An appearance by children’s singer and songwriter Stacey Peasley is also planned, as are several “breakfast with Santa” events over the course of the month.

“We’re adding a lot,” said Farley, “trying to get out there more. Should be a lot of fun.”

To inspire some friendly and festive competition, the town will also host a holiday decoration contest. Residents must register to take part, to be considered in the running for the top prize.

“People are signing up, which is nice to see,” said Farley. “We can’t get enough of the holidays.