Dancing Lights Fulfill Man's Mission to Spread Joy — and Grant Wishes

A front yard holiday lights display that includes 43,772 lights is impressive in itself.

But when those lights are choreographed to music? Well, that's worth planning your date night around.

Brent Waldrep, who lives just over the border of Rochester Hills on Paramount Lane in Auburn Hills, guesses that between 100 and 200 cars full of spectators have viewed his holiday lights display so far this season. As Christmas nears, that number will be closer to 400-500 cars a night, he estimates.

It's become a local destination to see the display he calls "."

"Saturday night we had a couple limosines come by," Waldrep said. "I have a friend who included it in her date night.

"Just like people go to downtown Rochester to look at the millions of lights, people come here to look at the lights."

Brent is a dad (to 4-year-old Jack) who owns an Internet service provider business. He works part time for the Auburn Hills Fire Department. This is the fifth year he has set his front yard show to music, and it has grown each year.

It's a year-round project. Waldrep uses computer software that controls electrical devices connected to the lights. He times everything precisely and said it takes about eight hours of programming to produce each minute of the 45-minute show.

It's all set to music that Waldrep broadcasts on his own radio station, 90.3 FM.

So why does he do it?

"Basically we do this just to bring joy and laughter to everyone. I want to see the smiles," he said.

The show is free for visitors. Last year was the first he collected donations for , a Rochester organization that grants wishes to seriously ill children in Michigan.

Waldrep, who grew up in Rochester, said the charity is one of his favorites to support. "I know there are kids out there that are not so fortunate, that have terrible illnesses, and I want to help them the best I can," he said.

Last year Our Dancing Lights raised $1,572.01. Donations are accepted in a box along the curb of his display or people can donate online through PayPal.

Mary Grace McCarter, executive director of The Rainbow Connection, said this sort of project is an example of how people can take something they love to do and share it with the community — and help a local cause at the same time.

"This is spreading the news of our charity in a whimsical and happy way," she said.

McCarter said 88 cents of every dollar donated to the Rainbow Connection goes toward wishes.

"The money will go to make dreams come true for Michigan children. It's not a sad story here, it's a story of celebration."

Our Dancing Lights is located at 3111 Paramount Lane in Auburn Hills, located off Tienken between Adams and Squirrel roads. The show runs until New Year's Day. You can see the lights from 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and on Friday and Saturday from 5-11 p.m. Turn your radio to 90.3 as you approach the show, and if you plan to stay for awhile park on the side of the road and turn off your headlights for the best viewing. For more details, visit www.ourdancinglights.com