Larsen Christmas Lights features Chicago Blackhawks tribute

CAMPTON HILLS – Brian Larsen said he roots for most Chicago sports teams, but when it comes to the Chicago Blackhawks, he is a "big, big fan."

After attending this year’s celebration in Chicago after the team’s Stanley Cup championship, Larsen decided to work in a tribute to the Blackhawks as part of his annual Larsen Christmas Lights Show at his home at 42W891 Beith Road in Campton Hills. Larsen’s shows run from 5 p.m. to midnight on weekends and from 5 to 10:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

The tribute lasts about five minutes and features four songs, ending with "Chelsea Dagger," which is the song played after the Blackhawks score. The video is viewable at www.youtube.com/user/larsenlights, or by searching "Larsen Christmas Lights Show" on Facebook.

It is not unusual for Larsen to receive attention for his annual show. In 2013, Larsen won his segment of ABC-TV’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” Many cars typically will stop and park in the area to check out the show, which can be heard on a vehicle radio through an FM station.

He said he is especially enjoying the buzz over the Blackhawks display. He said WGN-TV’s morning news was to include broadcasts from his house, and he already has been featured on NBC Chicago and CLTV, as well as radio station 95.5-FM, known as BIG 95.5.

“I didn’t expect it to take off like it did,” Larsen said.

The Hawks’ display features names of the team’s players, flashing logos and lights, and a fog horn. It also features flashing lights in his driveway, which Larsen said you can “drive right over,” as they are dug in the ground and covered. He said his display includes about 1 million lights. He said he had help setting up the Hawks display and that it took more than 80 hours.

The light show also features Christmas music, but if he sees a lot of cars waiting to get near the display, Larsen will switch to a “heavy traffic flow” version that is shorter. For those coming specifically for the Hawks’ display, Larsen said “I open with that. It plays once at the front of every show.”

Campton Hills Police Chief Dan Hoffman said Dec. 4 that all has gone smoothly with Larsen’s display this year.

“I have not received one complaint yet, which is an anomaly,” Hoffman said, adding, “it’s been a source of frustration over the years.”

Hoffman said Larsen has worked to get people to use the parking lot set up near his home. There also are many street signs instructing drivers where they can’t park. Those who ignore them can be ticketed, and Hoffman said tickets had been written in previous years.

On the Web

Visit KCChronicle.com to view a video of the Larsen Christmas Lights Show tribute to the Chicago Blackhawks.