How unfortunate, everyone enjoys the beautiful light display set to holiday music. People from all around bring their family and friends as part of an annual tradition. I appreciate Vaughan position and also look forward to next year. For those who are curious, the blog for Collingwoodlights is at http://www.collingwoodlights.com/index.php?do=blank

Just the other day we were wondering it the lights were up. It will be a disappointment for all of us locally, but we have always been appreciative of the time and labor it must take to create this amazing spectacle. We'll keep our fingers crossed that Mr. Vaughan will be able to dazzle us once again in 2013.

oh boo! I JUST drove by & wished it would be lit. It always got me in the holiday mood. Thanks for the article explaining why. A very special THANK YOU to Mr. Vaughan for his many hard hours and years of work to make our holiday 'brighter'. I have a hard enough time lighting my tree. Hope he's able to do it next year!

Someone should have been paid to help him do it. Ffx county where are you? Or the park authority?

If Mr Vaughan had asked, I'm willing to bet that he would have gotten volunteers from the neighborhood to help! Wish he hadn't kept this to himself and instead reached out to his neighbors. He's given many of us joy over the years; we'd certainly have been willing to return the favor.

What if the community came together to help out? We could do like Friday, Saturday, Sunday with all volunteers! I live on Collingwood Road, and my daughter absolutely loves the light display and is going to be very sad that "Santa, won't be in the window checking him list." How about it?!?

...If Mr. Vaughan needs help to set up, I am sure we can rally. Put the word out and let him know....it will be greatly missed this year.

Mr. Vaughan, thanks for the shows--even if they never come back, they were a wonderful present to all of us.

This display is the highlight of our annual ritual. We will really miss it. I always think, while we are enjoying its beauty, about the hard work and dedication that goes into putting it together every year. Thank you Mr. Vaughan for dazzling us every year. You have bought so much joy to the community. Hopefully, things will work out next year. Happy holidays to you and your family.

I'm so sorry to hear that this light display is being canceled for this year. The statistics are staggering - - 300 hours of labor to set that up? Wow. Talk about a labor of love. Hopefully, local teens can earn some community service hours volunteering to help Bill Vaughn with the setup next year.

I just want to say a very special "Thank you!" to Mr. Vaughan for all the beauty and wonder he has brought the community and especially our children over the years. It is his decision and I hope they'll be back next year, but I do agree with concept of community help in the set-up. Imagine what he could teach some young aspiring electrical wizards!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Bill Vaughan for Patch last year. Undoubtedly, he is touched by our community's willingness to offer help with the assembly and disassembly of Collingwood Lights. He knows how much his display means to our community and he, more than anyone, wants to keep the tradition alive. But, I also know he is very particular about how everything is put up and taken down and therefore, may not be receptive to offers of that kind of help. Bill is a self-employed contractor and this year, didn't have the luxury to take the entire month of November off, which is the time required, for his display to be erected. That being said, I think assistance with the operating costs of Collingwood Lights might be a better way for our community to show its support and to keep the tradition of Collingwood Lights alive. Here's the link for those who wish to contribute -- http://www.collingwoodlights.com/index.php?do=videos

We will miss your display this year and hope so very much you will be able to put it up next year. As you have read, it is an integral part of the holidays for many of us.

We have a question for you, Mr. Vaughan. If we in the neighborhood help you, do you think we can do it? If so, when can we start?!

Hi everyone,
I have an update from Mr. Vaughan:

"It is unbelievably flattering that my display could garner all the praise and offers of help that it has in the past few days unfortunately, the ship has sailed for this year. The work for set up would have had to start months ago with actually stringing lights and the lights are only a fraction of the labor involved. The largest part of the set up is com. related, the actual wiring of the lights to micro processors which once programed will direct the show. It is unbelievably tedious work that takes several weeks to complete, time that I just do not have this year.

I am sorry for disappointing so many this year but, I can assure you, none we be more sad or disappointed than I."

I don't know if Mr. Vaughan's inability to dedicate the time to the lights has to do with business growth or downturn (I'm sure hoping it is growth!) But, I can completely understand how Mr. Vaughan may feel particular about how the lights are set up. I'm sure the wishes of our community to assist him are deeply appreciated. However, I really think we should all think about contributing to the link provided above... http://www.collingwoodlights.com/index.php?do=videos . This way, maybe he can use the money to sustain in order to provide a most wonderful community service...and memory...for all of us in Mount Vernon!