By Michelle Colesanti
If you stop by 9229 and 9231 Sunnyoak Dr. in Riverview on any night between now and January 2, you will no doubt see a light display that will bring your holiday spirit to life.
Rob Silver and neighbor Mike Richards, who have been neighbors for five years, teamed up to bring their synchronized light show to the community after spending years trying to outshine each other.
Deciding to work together this year, they applied to appear on ABC’s annual holiday reality show, The Great Christmas Light Fight, and were chosen for the competition. They teamed up and spent months decorating their homes in an amazing display with the hopes of beating out other national contestants in the first ‘neighbors’ battle to be aired on the show.
According to Silver, win or lose, this is a win-win situation. “I go crazy every year anyway with lights and this was a better reason to do more. I’m able to share with everyone nationwide.”
There was plenty of ‘Lights-Cameras-Action’ when the filming took place in early October. Friends and neighbors gathered in holiday attire to cheer on the duo and families.
The show is set to air on ABC on Monday, December 11 at 8 p.m.
Silver and Richards will go up against three other pairs of neighbors across the country to compete for $50,000 and the coveted Light Fight trophy. Judge Taniya Nayak will make the decision as to which family earns the honor.
Both Silver and Richards have always been great neighbors, but working closely together to come up with creative ideas has made them become even better buddies.
According to Richards, they will plan to continue the lighting tradition going forward. “It is so nice to see all the family’s and kids outside enjoying the lights every night.”
While enjoying holiday festivities this season, stop for a few minutes with your family and friends to watch the display, which is set to music playing through a surround sound system on the premises. It will stay lit until about midnight each night.
The Great Christmas Light Fight will premiere this year on Monday, December 4. Visit http://abc.go.com/shows/the-great-christmas-light-fight for more information on the show.
