Family works to bring all a brighter holiday Visitors invited to walk display of lights, animation BY MARY ANNE ROSS Correspondent PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Top to bottom: To say the Apruzzi property on Central Avenue in Old Bridge is festive would be a mild understatement. The property is lit up with intricate displays that even extend onto a neighbor's property. Santa greets visitors to the property, which won the top prize for house decorations from the Old Bridge Civic Association. Visitors to this "winter wonderland" are welcome to walk around and even get a candy cane. The family asks that they make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. OLD BRIDGE - When the sun sets, the fun starts at the Apruzzi house on Central Avenue. Every night, gingerbread boys and girls jump on a trampoline, ride down the slide, and play on the swings and seesaw. Next to them, a Victorian family of ice skaters glides around in front of their old-fashioned homes. In the backyard, also known as the North Pole, Santa fishes in a pool-turned-pond while elf musicians enthusiastically play away. Towering over all of this is a 35-foot-high moving light sculpture of a monster pickup truck leaping over an enormous stack of Christmas presents. Animated fireworks explode each time the truck successfully makes the jump. Tom Apruzzi has created a "winter wonderland" that any elf would envy. He is an artist in lights and animation, and his creativity knows no bounds. He has even borrowed part of the front and backyards of his neighbor, the McNulty family. In the back is "Toyland," with a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, toy soldiers and a helicopter hovering above. In front, a mother and baby deer play in a forest of lights. "Everywhere you look there is a different scene. It's just great to see the expression on kids' faces. They are just amazed when they come here," said Tom's wife, Kris. The township as a whole took notice. Earlier this week, the Old Bridge Civic Association awarded Apruzzi first place in the house decorating contest, out of 40 contestants. Tom will receive a plaque at the next Township Council meeting in January and two $100 American Express gift cards. The Apruzzis encourage families to come and view the display. They have holiday music playing and a path of lights for visitors to follow. Their driveway is covered with well-lit arches, and 10-year-old Chris McNulty, who is Tom's unofficial assistant, has sprinkled glitter that reflects the light and twinkles on the blacktop. Wendy Cerbie and her family went by Friday night, and were thrilled to take in what she described as "a stress-free, non-shoppingrelated evening" as a family. "The displays are immaculate. There is not a cord hanging or a bulb out anywhere," she said. "They have holiday music playing, and there is always someone outside very happy to answer your questions. The best part is, it is free. In fact, they even offer you a candy cane on your way out." The entire display consists of more than 125,000 bulbs and 6,000 feet of wire. There are over 100 light sculptures, 40 animations and 30 strobe lights. The 135 arborvitaes on the property are each adorned with 150 lights. The couple installs a 200-amp service to handle all the power needed. Their electric bill for one month comes to $1,100. "It's a great hobby," Tom said. "I find it really relaxing." He notes, however, "It takes a lot of time setting it up." But he is not alone. Employees from TA Sprinkler Systems, which Tom and Kris own, lend a hand. Tom and Kris begin working on the display in November, but Christmas is on their minds all year long. This past July they went to Tennessee to attend a convention called Planet Christmas. The event offers "how to" seminars and features vendors specializing in Christmas light sculptures. Tom and Kris found a company to customize their monster truck animation to look like a pickup that Tom once owned. "You would be surprised at how many people are interested in doing this. There were 600 people there that week," Kris said of the convention. The couple learned about computerized light displays, and is thinking of trying that at some point in the future. "My family has always been crazy about Christmas, and now Tom is too," Kris said. Tom himself is decked out, wearing a cap with flashing lights that say "Ho Ho Ho." Kris noted that it is not hooked up with a wire. "It's just a little 3-volt battery," Tom said with a smile. The Apruzzi home is located at 18 Central Ave. Visitors can take Englishtown Road to Brookside Avenue to Central Avenue. The Apruzzis ask that visitors make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.