A Christmas tradition: Marty’s house decorated one last time

Image: Marty Belisle, Cold Lake Christmas decorator extraordinaire, right, with his displays one last time.

For 33 years, Cold Lakers and Christmas sight-seers across the Lakeland have come to Marty Belisle’s house to watch his extravagant holiday displays.

But this year will be his last.

Belisle has decided to go out on top when it comes to his Christmas lights and music show, and the community is grateful the enjoyment and cheer he’s brought with his work. He’s humbled by the response his decorations have received.

“The snow has been beating me up the past few years, and after last year, I was like, I don’t know if I can continue with that,” he told Lakeland Connect. 

“My family convinced me say, Well, Dad, you need to do it. At least one more time, so you can let the community know. And maybe let everyone down easily… I just kind of wanted to end on a high on on my own terms. While my display is probably as good as it’ll ever be on that.” 

The journey began in 1990 and has evolved from static displays, to an integrated show with music, lights, and…even more lights.

Now at 619 19 Street in Cold Lake south, it’s common for families to stop outside and watch.

He does all the work solo, putting in 140 hours on the outside, nevermind the set-up and takedown, the soldering, the fabrication, and everything that makes Marty’s house one of Cold Lake’s top Christmas attractions.

A member of several Christmas forums online, he’s added, tinkered, and improved the designs to create a unique experience for those that visit.

“We’re talking about 125,000 lights on there, there’s about 16,000 pixels, or almost 50,000 lights just on the front that are all controlled in sequence,” he said.

“It’s tedious. It takes a long time. The technology now is catching up, where now you can buy some pre-made sequences for certain things, and you can use them. So it’s gotten a lot easier that way with the technology, but in the early days — it was hours and hours and hours.” 

Residents are encouraged to give his house a visit from 4:30-10:00pm on weekdays, or until 11:00pm on the week leading to Dec. 25.

His penchant for decorating bleeds into Halloween, where he was by 969 trick-or-treaters, who shared their memories of his generous spirit.

“I had tears at Halloween talking with so many little kids that were just so happy and so appreciative that we gave them a spot to come.

“I want to thank the community wholeheartedly because everyone has been so supportive. I want to thank my neighbors.”