Sparky was the nickname Clark Griswold’s wife, Ellen, had for him in the classic film Christmas Vacation.
In the spirit of Christmas, our first annual Sparky Award, for the best Christmas display in Winnipeg, is being presented to a man who is clearly in touch with his inner Clark Griswold!
Joanne Gallant nominated her husband, Ken Gallant, for the first-ever Sparky Award — and we can’t imagine a more deserving winner.
This is the fifth year Ken has been entertaining friends and neighbours with his spectacular Christmas light display at the Gallant family’s South St. Vital home, located at 275 Aldgate Rd.
To date, Ken has raised nearly $10,000 for the Children’s Wish Foundation.
According to Joanne, it takes Ken about 150 hours to construct the lights and about another 50 hours to take them all down. The display includes more than 150 extension cords, a collection of about 50 creatures and sections devoted to the Winnipeg Jets, Sesame Street, a nativity scene and many others.
In total, there are nearly 100,000 Christmas lights. Every evening throughout December, the lights flash in unison with Christmas music. Ken also takes time when young kids visit to give them a tour of all the lights. "The smiles on their faces are precious and heartwarming. He has brightened the lives of so many people through his hard work and in doing so has raised money for a great cause," Joanne said. "He is truly a hero."
If you’re in the area, drive by and check out Ken’s spectacular display and stop in to make a donation, big or small. You can also check out his Facebook page — ‘Ken’s Christmas Lights For Hope’, where there’s a link to a GoFundMe page to help Ken raise money in support of The Children’s Wish Foundation.
Thanks to everyone who entered and congratulations Ken! Your prize for being the first-ever winner of the Sparky Award is a pair of tickets to see Rod Stewart, April 3, 2018, at Bell MTS Place.
willy@freepress.mb.ca
