Popular Leechburg Lights holiday light show relocating to Connellsville after this year

Leechburg’s lit but not for long.

The annual Leechburg Lights synchronized holiday light display at the home of Clyde Lindsey on Main Street is in its last season.

Lindsey, 48, the homeowner and event creator, is moving from Leechburg to Connellsville in a few months.

He plans to continue the free, 100% digital and LED-based show next year in Connellsville.

“I’ve already had the new house outfitted with a new 200-amp electric panel, so it’s ready for the lights,” Lindsey said.

Part of the reason Lindsey is moving is that he wants to purchase land and have more property to spread out the lights for his annual show.

“And I want to have a garage and space to work on my vehicles,” he said. “There really isn’t room to do that here.”

His show began in 2008 with a modest display of lights and music.

Since then, Leechburg Lights has evolved into a grand display and has become an annual tradition for Lindsey and Leechburg residents.

“Around 2015, I realized from the cards, letters and feedback that people considered it a tradition to come to Leechburg Lights. It was a way for a family to spend time together. It appealed to folks of all ages,” Lindsey said.

Lindsey, a Vandergrift native and former King’s Family Restaurant manager, took his hobby as a light sequencer to the national level.

He owns his own light programming company, and his hobby is now his career.

He works nationwide as a professional light sequencer and co-owns Pixel Pro Displays.

“I have over 30 projects that are going live right now. I’m crazy busy with everything,” Lindsey said.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

Clyde Lindsey, Leechburg Lights creator and nationally recognized professional lighting programmer, surveys his handiwork Monday evening outside his home at 147 Main St. in Leechburg.

This season, Lindsey added 14 new songs for a total of 19 on the one-hour playlist.

It takes him several weeks to set up his display that includes more than 36,000 bulbs.

Each song takes hours to synchronize on a computer.

Leechburg High School junior Alyssa Foley lives about two blocks from Leechburg Lights and said she will miss the show after this year.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling. I’m happy that it’s ending in good spirits, but I grew up watching these lights. They’ll be a part of my childhood forever,” Foley said.

The show begins nightly at 5:30, as cars line up, park or cruise by slowly to soak in the seasonal display.

Leechburg Lights has served as a backdrop to marriage proposals and even a baby gender reveal, with Lindsey designing a custom light show for the event.

In 2017, Lindsey’s home caught on fire, resulting in extensive damage. It threatened to close the show.

“I just couldn’t not have a show,” Lindsey said.

Leechburg Mayor Tony Roppolo reacted to the news Monday of the impending departure of Leechburg Lights.

“It has become more and more enticing with each ensuing year. It’s great to see carloads of families park across the street, watch the show and dance to the tunes on the car radio,” Roppolo said. “This certainly will be an annual event that will be missed.”

Leechburg resident Madison Weitzel’s family always made visiting Leechburg Lights a priority when she was little.

“The house was always the most beautiful when it came to Christmas lights. I remember as a child, I would bug my mother to drive down to see them. I will definitely miss having a sense of joy seeing them,” she said.

Former Leechburg Mayor Shawn Lerch remembered Leechburg Lights in its early days.

“Over the years, Leechburg Lights has brought smiles and joy to thousands,” he said. “Sadly, all good things come to an end, and I’m sorry to hear this.”

Roppolo praised Lindsey’s contribution to the Leechburg community.

“I’ve watched the creativity in progress well ahead of each Christmas season and have great admiration for the effort Lindsey expends every year,” Roppolo said.

Neighbor Dennis Miller II lends his front lawn to the cause each season, allowing Lindsey to extend the display onto Miller’s property next door.

Miller volunteers to help Lindsey set up the display and said he’ll miss having such a great neighbor.

“Clyde is a great guy and passionate about what he does,” Miller said. “I’m going to miss the display itself. It’s been a true pleasure and great times having Clyde as a neighbor and such a great friend. I’ll definitely miss him being there.”

Lindsey said meeting countless people over the years at his light show has left a mark he will take with him to Connellsville.

“It gave folks something to smile about, even when things weren’t good for them at that time. It’s been life-changing to be a part of this community,” Lindsey said. “It’s a mix of emotions. I just wanted to give people something to enjoy and spread some holiday cheer.”