The spirit of the holidays is alight in many, but some bear a far brighter torch.

Residents can enjoy Christmas light shows at Andy McDonald’s home and the Powell Fire Department. 

McDonald at 1351 Road 12H, down in Willwood, has been running a Christmas light show replete with music since 2008 because people love it.

He has roughly 38,000 lights flashing to the beat of his holiday and popular music on 90.7 FM, McDonald said. The show lasts about 20 minutes.

Not to be out-shined, 1st Lt. Devin Self of the Powell Volunteer Fire Department, 1101 E. South St., is fired up for the holidays too.

Six holiday and popular tunes are linked to the department’s brilliant ensemble that can be heard by tuning in to 99.9 FM. The show lasts around 30-45 minutes, Self said.

At the fire department, a cone composed entirely of lights stands center stage like an earthbound Star of Bethlehem flashing a myriad of colors. Meanwhile, the evergreens flare in time to animated tunes. It’s simultaneously lighthearted and heartening.

The fire department has a sleigh-load of lights, but even ol’ St. Nick might scratch his head trying to tally the total.

He can’t remember the number of lights. “I lost count,” Self said.

Like a rock band upstaged by the light show, McDonald’s show pulses like a giant holiday heart stoked by radiant light. Silver trees flash and glimmering stars hover overhead like supervisors overseeing a light parade to one of the songs, “Good Vibrations,” by the Beach Boys.

At the McDonald place, typically the number of cars increases two weeks before Christmas. Christmas Eve enjoys the most volume. One night he counted 68 cars lined up the road, waiting to soak up his music/light extravaganza, McDonald said. “I do confess, I look out the window and I love to see a car out there.”

It puts new meaning to the word “hassle,” stringing the lights, not to mention many, many hours arranging the music months before the holidays for McDonald.

Self said he had plenty of help from fellow firefighters.

“I remember why I do it when it’s up and running,” McDonald said.

One night, he was adjusting some lights when a car approached. Not wanting to detract from his show, McDonald said he hid behind a tree. The car’s window was rolled down and he could hear the woman and child’s obvious joy. “It meant the world to me to hear that,” McDonald said.

The fire department’s light show is for people of all ages. “It’s something for the community to come see and enjoy,” Self said. “It’s fun for everyone.”

Last year, when Santa Claus dropped by the fire department to visit children, firefighters turned on the stereo so the kids could watch the show indoors after Santa dashed off to his next holiday engagement, Self said.

Self has a 2-month-old son named Henry. “I’m sure next year he’ll enjoy it,” he said.

It all started when McDonald saw a viral video of a home with a big blinking star emitting from a rooftop. “One thing lead to another and it just grew,” he said.

This is Self’s third year conducting his light show, he said.

Self’s kit came from Light-O-Rama. “It’s for people who like to do it themselves,” he said.

McDonald is leaning more toward LED lights now rather than incandescent bulbs because LEDs require less electricity. “My (electric) bill goes up about 40 bucks for the month,” he said.

Self said he’s all LED because they are brighter and they react quicker to the beat of the music, he said. 

McDonald’s show is 5-9 p.m. weeknights and 5-11 p.m. weekends.

The fire department’s show runs 5-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, Self said.   

Vehicles have safe access in the parking lot where they won’t interfere with fire calls when the fire bell rings, Self said. “Bring the family. Enjoy the show.”

Both light shows are free to the public.

The fire department’s show will be up until the new year, Self said.

His lights will remain at least a week after the new year, said McDonald.

“Everybody is welcome,” McDonald said. “Don’t be afraid to drive up the road. We wouldn’t put it up if we didn’t want people to come out there.”