Knightdale resident finds his inner 'Griswold' by covering his home and yard with Christmas lighting

This is the time when many people light up colorful outdoor holiday decorations. Some choose to do it in a very big way.

Marine veteran Lamar Davis keeps adding to his light and music display every year. It's a tradition he carried on from a relative.

"I remember my Uncle Harry putting up Christmas lights, and I think that's when I got the bug," Davis said.

It was the "bug" of bright lights and holiday cheer.

After his service as a Marine, Davis eventually settled down near Knightdale in the Baywood Forest community.

"When I finally bought my own house, it was on," he said. "I knew what I was going to do for the holidays."

It began small at first, but Davis' imagination grew.

"My inner 'Griswold' started to come through," he said. "So this is what I do for the holidays."

Even in the daylight, some neighbors slow down in their cars to watch him work. Davis said,

"It makes them feel good," he explained. "Like I said, I get the joy of that."

It's when the sun goes down and the lights pop on that attracts the most visitors. Children who visit the display often have a favorite character somewhere on Davis' lawn. One young girl said her favorite character is the snowman.

"The snowmen, because they look like they want to give you a high five!" she said.

All of the lighting is Davis' gift to the community as well as to himself.

"I'll sit and watch just like anybody else would that's just driving through, walking through," he said. "That's the kind of feeling I get when I come out and look at my lights."

The end result is what gives him the biggest thrill.

"I did it and I'm so happy with the result," Davis said. "And throughout the holiday, I hope it makes everybody else happy too! Mission accomplished."

Davis turns on his light and music display every night around 5:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. in the Baywood Forest neighborhood on Cottage Bluff Lane.