By Andrew de Souza

Johnson Crescent a Christmas treasure

Dec 21, 2010 | 4:56 AM

During the Christmas season, there’s a shining beacon of Christmas joy in the city’s West Flat area — Johnson Crescent.

The twenty or so homes have the distinction of being known as one of the top, if not the best, decorated street in the city.

On any given night a slow trickle of cars is sure to be cruising the block, taking up streetside parking as onlookers snap photos, or getting in the way of residents who are long used to the bright lights and just want to get home after a busy day of working.

Johnson Crescent has been this way for about 30 years, if you ask resident Norm Gibson. His house is decorated with white flood lights, icicle lights (both LED and incandescent), angels heralding “Peace on Earth” and Santa making his way up the side of the home.

“We just used to joke amongst ourselves, tried to do better than one another and it just got bigger and bigger as times went on,” said Gibson.

Raiders AGM

Raiders impact on Prince Albert local economy continues to go up: AGM report

15h ago

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

Dec 11, 2024

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

Dec 11, 2024

“I guess it’s rather strange how it did happen.”

He moved to the street in the 70s from England and he’s been decorating since 1980. Back then it was bright, power-guzzling bulbs. He once put around 70 strings of lights up, cranked them on and promptly blew his home’s main breaker.

Nowadays, Gibson admits he’s slowing down, though by any measure his home is still more decorated that most — and it only took him a few hours, since he’s got the technique down. You won’t find reindeer, angels or lights on his roof. Each year its harder on him and his wife.

“My wife’s told me, I’m getting to old to be doing that,” he said.

Gibson is just one of the many beautifully decorated homes, though many will agree he’s been doing it for longer than most. A slow drive on the street reveals different themes, styles, and light sources.

From simple three-colour strings, to soft icicle lights, to fully lit and inflatable animatronic depictions of all manner of holiday characters.

For Gibson it’s all in good fun. If the neighbourhood happens to be the best looking in the neighbour, that’s nice all the same.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Gibson. “I like doing it. It’s just one of those things.”

adesouza@panow.com