West Seattle Christmas lights: Menashes’ TV showcase Saturday

Work has begun on this year’s edition of West Seattle’s biggest, brightest Christmas lights — the Menashe Family display in the 5600 block of Beach Drive. We stopped by Sunday afternoon, as the front yard bustled with family and friends (plus the cherry picker), while the back yard held more components of the famous light show:

Inside, Linda Menashe showed us the photo postcard created to share the news of the display’s upcoming TV showcase. You might remember that last year, The Learning Channel sent a crew to document both the decorating, and the official switching-on of the show; here’s our video of one take, as family and friends loudly cheered the throwing of the switch:

Again, that was DECEMBER 2009 – the lights for this year are NOT on yet. As we reported a year ago, they said it would be part of a TV program this season – and indeed, as the Menashes’ postcard proclaims, they’ll be on TLC (Comcast channel xx) at 9 pm this Saturday night, December 4; the online listing says the show’s called “Invasion of the Christmas Lights 2,” and Linda Menashe says their share of it will run about 10 minutes. She has fond memories of the crew that spent a week in and around her house – “our basement was filled with the most gorgeous film equipment!” – and also told us that TLC found the family by discovering a past WSB report. Back to this year’s display – Linda’s daughter Joanna Menashe showed us some of this year’s new additions, like a holiday horse:

Other animated characters awaited in other nooks and crannies:

If all goes well – Joanna says now that she and her siblings are grown up, the decorating work goes a lot faster than it did when they were kids! – the lights will go on midweek. And then on Saturday night, her mom told us, the family will gather at son Jacob‘s house to watch the TLC show. Meantime, as per WSB tradition, we’d love to hear from you about other bright local lights displays – share the info (and photo if you get one) – thanks!

7 Replies to "West Seattle Christmas lights: Menashes' TV showcase Saturday"

  • Alki Resident November 29, 2010 (8:18 am)

    We look forward to the Menashes’ display every year.We bring friends to see it.Cant wait to see the horse,it looks beautiful.

  • RJB November 29, 2010 (9:24 am)

    We “discovered” this fantastic display last year (our first year back in W Seattle) and can’t wait for this year!! Thanks to the Menashe family for all their hard work.

  • Mark November 29, 2010 (9:48 am)

    Has this year’s date been announced yet?

    • WSB November 29, 2010 (10:08 am)

      As noted in the story, sometime this week – we will be checking back with them today.

  • miws November 29, 2010 (9:56 am)

    Caption to bottommost photo:

    (Voice from off camera) “You two know the rules, I shouldn’t have to repeat myself. First, finish up with the dishes, and take out the trash, then you can go out in the front yard to play!

    .

    Mike

  • Rick November 29, 2010 (10:57 am)

    Mike,Mike,Mike. Ya gotta remember to plug ’em in before they can do the dishes. Oh,wait……..

  • Gina Gonzalez December 3, 2010 (2:39 pm)

    The Menashe’s are a wonderful family. I cannot wait to go see the display!

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