South St. Petersburg lights up with annual Oakdale Christmas Spectacular

Since 1977, Ted Kresge has decorated his home and yard with a giant Christmas light display.

Voted No. 1 by HGTV’s “All Out Christmas,” this religiously themed walk-through light display set on half an acre of land features 500,000 lights, an 18-car model train display, inflatables, holiday scenes, four giant Christmas trees, mirrored snowflake balls, a talking teddy bear, a 150-piece manger scene, a bubble machine, a life-sized dancing snowman and a singing Christmas tree.

According to its website, christmasdisplay.org, electric costs are almost $5,000 annually and families “come from around the world” to see the display, which requires three electric meters to power.

Kresge throws the switch to light up the display on Nov. 25. It can be viewed from 6 to 10 nightly through Jan. 3.

Kresge’s Oakdale Christmas Spectacular is at 2719 Oakdale St. S, St. Petersburg. Admission is free.

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