By David Rosen

*Update as of 7:30 pm Nov 27

The Menashe family is having their lighting ceremony on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at 5 pm. Josh Menashe told the Herald, " We have something big planned for the lighting ceremony on Sunday but I can't release the details as it will be a surprise to everyone."

They are also having their annual holiday event featuring Santa Claus on Saturday, December 14 from 6 pm to 10 pm. They encourage to bring down your family and kids for this fun filled night.

Original Post
A crew of men, led by Josh Menashe were a blur of activity at the home of his parents Jack and Linda Menashe at 5605 Beach Drive SW. Nov 27 where again this year they are putting on what is likely the most spectacular display of Christmas lights in West Seattle.

Menashe said the display this year has a few new key features including a new LED Ferris Wheel , 
a Mickey Mouse coming out of a chimney, Snoopy, two new candy canes, new deer, polar bears, a gingerbread house blow up on the roof, and new blue LED lights on a tree.

The Menashe’s have close to 340,000 lights that consist of both LED and incandescent. There are nearly 100,000 lights on the giant oak tree that is the centerpiece in the front yard.

So how do you power that many lights? "First we had extra circuit panels installed, which meant we had to get a permit though the city so we could get the additional capacity and have an electrical contractor handy during set-up for periodic checks of the huge light display," said Menashe.

"We love to do this for the community every year," Just watching all the people stop by the thousands and see their faces light up with excitement, especially the kids, puts a smile on our faces."

Some fun facts about the Menashe display:

• 4 marriage proposals have taken place in front of the fancy display.
• 30,000 lights are replaced every year.
• Estimated Seattle City Light bill for 340,000 lights $18,904 / $442 for LED
• Everyday at 4:15 pm, timers in the Menashe’s basement power on and
illuminate the display until about 11 pm and the display is dark before
midnight.

Something special about the huge light display this year is that the Menashe family has been featured in Seattle Met Magazine. You can read about it online here or pick up a copy in print at area newsstands.