Home of the Week

Kibler's Dazzling Lights

Christmas is over…and that’s a fact. But it doesn’t mean that “Home of the Week” is over!

In this, our final installment of the season, we take a look at a home a little south of our coverage area, but still an Illinois home nevertheless.

“Kiblers Dazzling Lights”

Located at 204 Robert Drive in Normal Illinois, Kibler’s lights have been dazzling his neighbors and residents of Normal alike since 1998! In recent years, KDL has incorporated some unique song choices as you can see by the video here.

We sat down with the Brandon Kibler of Kibler’s Dazzling Lights to find out a little more on their display:

Q&A w/Brandon Kibler

K3 Lights: You’ve been doing this for ten-plus years now…what started all this?

BK: [It was a] plastic Nativity Scene. (Since then…as you can see…it’s grown.)

K3 Lights: Most of our homes we cover take about a month to set up…how long is it for you?

BK: About 3-4 weeks. K3 Lights: Now, your display is a “light show” meaning it’s programmed to music. How long would you say it takes you to program your display?

BK: Well…for each minute of music, it takes about 3-4 hours.

K3 Lights: We’ve been asking HOTW participants all month long if they’ve started to incorporate the new LEDs into their display, saving power and energy alike. Have you?

BK: Yes, actually our entire roof-line is outlined in LED Lights. We will be continuing to convert the display into entirely LEDs in the future.

K3 Lights: I’m not really sure of the population of the area, so I’m curious to know what kind of traffic you guys get.

BK: Not really sure…but there are always at least 5-7 cars watching the lights it would seem.

K3 Lights: For those near the area, what station do you have to tune to for your display?

BK: It’s 107.5FM. The display runs from 5pm-10pm Sunday to Thursday and 5pm-11pm Friday and Saturday nights.

A special thanks goes out to Brandon Kibler of Kiblers Dazzling Lights in Normal, IL for participating in the HOTW segment here on K3 Lights. Yes, its’ the last house for 2011, but no worries! We’re already looking for homes to participate in 2012’s “Home of the Week” here on the site. If you are interested or have someone who might be, direct them to the submission page, here.

See you in 2012!

-The K3 Lights Team

The Panders

. Posted in Home of the Week

As “Town Tours” start to wind-down, K3 Lights once again returns to Kankakee County to finish the season. What better place to wrap up our “Home of the Week” than with a home from Kankakee?

“The Panders”

Residence of Kankakee County for the past six years, the Panders started decorating the home for the first time after their move from Freeport, IL in 2005. At that time, their display featured six blowmolds (four snowmen and two candles) and one strand of 150 lights! Then, after seeing a home not too far away on the news in Monee, IL, the family was blown away with their display, and have since been hooked on lights!

Q&A w/Candee & Greg Pander

K3 Lights: So how long does it take you guys to set up nowadays?

Panders: Well…every year we “say” next year we’re going to start sooner…but normally we get it up in about a month; but that really starts pushing the stress button big time to get it done in one month.

K3 Lights: You said the oldest pieces in your display were some snowmen and candles, which is the oldest piece in the collection for you?

Panders: The pair of candles. They were inherited by Candee from her mom. We also have a mechanical snowman that’s pretty old that Candee drove all the way to Michigan to pick up.

K3 Lights: With your house being out away from the city, do you feel you see an increase in the traffic on your street during the holidays?

Panders: Yes, every year it seems to be more and more cars are driving by, slowing down and taking pictures!

K3 Lights: Overall now, what do you feel takes up the majority of the display?

Panders: It’s primarily blowmolds and incandescent minis.

K3 Lights: Anything else you’d like to add?

Panders: Just to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and have a safe and happy New Year!

Special thanks to Candee and Greg Pander for participating in the “Home of the Week.” You can check the house out for yourself at 2281 W 5000 S. Road in Kankakee. We'll be back next week with one final bonus HOTW from Normal, IL! Check it out back here on Dec 30th.