Gap Christmas House Attracts Hundreds

Driving along Cambridge Road in Gap between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve, one cannot miss the shape of Santa Claus in a helicopter outlined in colorful lights that is perched on the roof of the house at 193 Cambridge Road. Each year, on Thanksgiving night, the jolly old elf in his flying machine comes to light along with about 360 other characters and more than 45,000 lights when resident Norm Montgomery Jr. flips the switch.

Norm Jr. noted that his family had recently discussed how long they have been illuminating the home. "We have been trying to figure that out," he said, stating that his sister believes the mass decorating began in 1984 - nearly 40 Christmases ago. Norm Jr. recalls that the first year there were about 10 large ornaments in front of the house, but with each consecutive Christmas, he has added more.

The layout, which starts with a pathway adjacent to the parking area and winds around the back to the opposite side, is designed by Norm Jr. with slight variations each year. Norm Jr. said it takes about six weeks to set up the walkway, which includes a variety of figures and characters related to Christmas. "We have Disney characters and penguins," Norm Jr. said, standing in front of a choir of child-size carolers. The yard also features snowmen, bears, toy soldiers, reindeer, candy canes, elves, angels, and two trains. A large lighted Nativity fills the front porch. A second scene lights the entrance to the path. Norm Jr. tries to have a live Santa present at least during the Saturday prior to Christmas.

He believes visitors started walking through - as opposed to just driving by - the display about 20 years ago, but, although attendance estimates run as high as 1,000 a year, that number was not tracked until 2022 when a registration book was added. Monetary donations are accepted to defray electric and other expenses.

Each year, Norm Jr. sets a goal of starting work on the display by Oct. 31. "I do 95% of the set up myself," he said, adding that he counts on Norm Sr. for help with some strings of lights and extension cords.

Acquiring more decorations is on Norm Jr.'s Dec. 26 schedule, with yearly purchases ranging from a few pieces to more than 15. "I go out when everything is half off," he said, adding that he discovered Santa's chopper at a yard sale in Leola about a decade ago. For 2022, Norm Jr. added Christmas trees made of lights along the front fence. "I really like those (trees)," he said. "They are simple, but they look good."

More information may be found by searching for "Montgomery Christmas House" on Facebook.