Take this, Clark Griswold: Candy Cane Lane brighter than ever

The way Mark Jaegli of Regina decorates his property every year would put Clark Griswold to shame.

Jaegli's home on Champ Crescent in Normanview is the home base for Candy Cane Lane Holiday Lights Festival, which is now officially in its fourth season.

"It's definitely bigger and better — anybody who comes down here will see that," said Jaegli on opening night this week.

Last year, the decorations comprised 25,000 lights; this year it's in excess of 30,000. Jaegli also included more than 100 inflatable decorations, including one that's more six metres tall. It's part of a surprise reveal in his backyard.

Close to 15,000 people came through Jaegli's front gate last year to tour what he calls his Disney World of Christmas decorating.

Jaegli has been doing large displays at his home for the past 20 years, but what gets him choked up is the number of people in his neighbourhood who are following suit. More than 170 homes are now participating in the festival.

"This is the community's baby. It's fantastic. It's hard to put into words the pride that you can take within your community," he said.

Jaegli's home, though, is considered the North Pole of the Normanview community effort: It's the main attraction.

The festival is all for a good cause: Last year, it collected seven tons of food for the food bank. 

But that system became too labour intensive even for Jaegli's army of volunteers, which numbered 50 in 2015.

This year, then, Jaegli is asking for monetary donations: $1 for kids up to 14 years old; $2 for older teenagers and seniors; and $3 for adults.

The highlight this year will be a raffle for a George Reed autographed jersey presented by the Saskatchewan Roughriders legend himself on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. CST.

Candy Cane Lane is open every evening until Christmas Eve from 6:30 to 9 p.m.