'Christmas Utah' wins worldwide competition

MURRAY — A firefighter's gift to the community has been named the world's best home lighting display.

Marty Slack's original "Christmas Utah" extravaganza, complete with radio-synched music and choreographed lights, is the grand prize winner in the 2005 PlanetChristmas Worldwide Decorating Contest. The award comes with $1,750 in display goods.

Slack, whose artistry has enchanted passers-by for the past five years, says he is honored.

"I've been doing a big display for a lot of years and never really cared much about getting recognition," said Slack, a United Fire Authority captain. "But coming from this group, it's a huge honor."

The display at 5631 Whispering Pine Circle (820 East) runs through Jan. 6. See www.christmasutah.com for more information.

Tennessee-based PlanetChristmas, www.planetchristmas.com, is designed to help people deck their yards at Christmastime. It includes idea sharing, tips on computerizing lights, photos and a chatroom.

Its worldwide decorating contest comes in three categories: computerized displays; displays using inflatable characters from Santas to snowmen; and the "over the top" category — the one Slack entered — which includes them all. Entries, which come from the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Canada and Australia, are judged on originality, Christmas spirit, contribution to the community and testimonials.

"Christmas Utah" has them all. Rooftop lights complement a motorcycle-riding Santa Claus. In the window is a computerized image of Santa walking to and fro, pausing to wave. A brass band lights up and jams with a singing reindeer. Tiny Christmas trees appear to chase each other on the front lawn. Strobes flash from giant evergreens. The display snows, has bubbles and boasts a field's worth airblown inflatable characters. All is overseen by an angel, permanently lit to honor a friend who died of breast cancer.

Car stereos can tune to 99.9 — a radio frequency that dims just outside the neighborhood — to experience the music-lights choreography. The Slacks often hand out candy canes and talk with visitors, several of whom write, thanking them for the pick-me-up.

"It was so therapeutic and felt so good," e-mailed a woman, whose name was withheld on the PlanetChristmas awards site. "This really is the first year since my son's death that I have actually felt some of that old excitement that used to raise my power bill."

Slack estimates thousands of people flock to the free show each year, sometimes waiting an hour in traffic jams for a glimpse.

Slack has decorated his home for 15 years, and gone all-out in the past five. He spends up to $4,000 a year on supplies for original displays run by computer.

Slack's power bill quadruples through the holidays.

But he says it's worth it.

"The reason I do it is completely for the reaction I get from people who come by. It makes it worth the effort," he said. "December's kind of a tough month, really, if you think about it. . . . But when (people) come to the display and watch it for a minute, everyone has a huge smile on their face. It's like my present to the community."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com