Winning light display a labour of love for Flying Dust man

What started as an idea one year to make his family smile has turned into a holiday hobby for Daryl Gladue. 

The Flying Dust First Nation man loves to decorate his property with some lights, but it’s not a few here and there, his whole yard is adorned in lights, inflatable props, candy canes and even a sleigh and reindeer. He uses mostly LEDs.

Flying Dust First Nation holds a Christmas lights contest each year, and Gladue has been crowned first for the last number of years as well.

He said he almost didn’t do it again this year, as there were several deaths in the family, but one relative really liked to see his light display, so he and his wife Esther decided to do it in their memories.

Riding boundaries changing

MP Gary Vidal announces he won't seek re-election in next election

46m ago

Fire Risk

Meadow Lake under fire risk warning

1h ago

Leadership Needed to Stop Federal Overreach

7h ago

“I wasn’t going to do anything and now all of a sudden I’m putting up the lights,” he said with a chuckle.

He said he was inspired by people who used to take part in displays in the past, and the couple took a drive around a few years ago and didn’t see much around town, so they took it upon themselves to have some fun with it. The entire family, including their children and grandchildren, pitch in to help set things up.

“It’s been growing every year, and it’s going to grow again,” Gladue said. “I’m going to do my whole yard, front, sides and back eventually.” 

He said he doesn’t really follow a theme, aside from making sure he includes a bit of culture in there. He has a dream catcher style display, as well as a teepee on the north side of his property. The dream catcher has breast cancer ribbon this year. Other years have incorporated ribbons for stroke awareness to honour one of their daughter who recovered from one, and other causes.

The Gladues have many people slowing down outside their house on Meadow River Road, honking and acknowledging the nice display.

“The people we get pulling in the yard taking pictures – you can’t beat that.”

The family just tries to have some fun with it, and Gladue usually only has one request for Christmas presents.

“Just give me a box of lights,” he said.

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @meadowlakenow