13-Home Holiday Light Display Brings Smiles

A synchronized holiday light display that encompasses 13 homes is drawing delighted spectators from the Murrieta area and beyond.

When homeowners on Bainbridge Circle in unincorporated Murrieta set out three years ago to do something to "give back to the community," the light display was the best way they knew how, said Ted Weist, one of the main men behind the technology.

"Everybody is into the Christmas spirit around here," Weist said. "It really does bring us all together."

Weist, an automation engineer by trade, is known as the "Wizard" on his block. That's because all the other neighbors have to do is put up their lights, and he and a few others do the rest for them.

The result: a feast for the senses once drivers turn the corner onto Bainbridge Circle, or "Bainbridge Falls," as the cul de sac residents like to refer to themselves.

In its third year, Bainbridge Circle now boasts 120,000 lights, all of them LED, according to Weist. Because they use LEDs, their electric bills only go up $15 to $20 for the month.

The display can be seen--and heard--from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. seven days a week beginning Thanksgiving night to New Year's Eve.

According to Weist, thousands have come by to witness the attraction so far this season. If driving, motorists can tune to FM 88.1 to hear the music while watching the lights move in rhythm from house to house, down the block. If outside their cars, the holiday tunes can be heard through loudspeakers.

Many who come tend to get out of their cars and walk the block. They are welcomed by the Bainbridge Circle crew, who sit out on their driveways, some handing out candy canes.

"There is always someone out here to greet people," Weist said. "The amount of smiles we get is phenomenal. That is why we do it."

On a recent weeknight, David and Kristen Scafidi of Murrieta brought their children, Brendan, 9, and Alexis, 11, to see the lights. They said they saw the display on NBC Los Angeles' "Fritz's Holiday Lights" special, and had been planning to stop by the display ever since.

"It would be fun to live in this neighborhood," Alexis said. "We might have the best house on our block, but not on this block."

The family gazed at the lights, and stopped to take photos in front of a lighted Nativity scene.

Others had driven a little further that night.

"We brought our whole Bible study group," said Denise McAndrews, of Riverside. "We will be infusing some of our money into this area because of this street."

Pauma Valley residents Jake and Janet Schell met McAndrews there with about 10 others from their Bible study group.

"It is just beautiful, I just love the music coordination," Janet said. "You could spend at least an hour out here."

Though many quiz him, Weist prefers not to divulge the secrets or manpower it takes to accomplish what has now become a yearly tradition.

"We don't want to ruin it," Weist said. "We say it is magic."