Family’s Christmas decorations bring holiday cheer to Villeray
Posted December 19, 2024 9:28 pm.
Last Updated December 19, 2024 10:52 pm.
Every year, Pat Petraccione’s home in Montreal’s Villeray lights up with holiday spirit. Fully lit and decorated, this unique Christmas display has been spreading joy to the community since 2012.
“As a kid, my parents always decorated for Christmas and illuminated the house. And they were the Christmas freaks. I was the Halloween freak. And my mom passed away in 2010, and I wanted to keep the tradition going on. And decided to help my dad light up the house. And with time, we actually bonded together to decorate,” said Petraccione.
Decorating has been a passion for his father Fernando Petraccione for more than 30 years.
“It’s for the enjoyment of the neighborhood, for the children, for everyone. We do what we do for the fun of it,” said Fernando.
It takes a full week of work to set everything up, and it’s all about passion to see the smiles on the faces of children and adults.
“In fact, the decorations, for us, every year, are really a sign that the holiday season is approaching. It’s the Christmas magic that begins to settle in the fall for us, because Fernando starts his decorations very, very early. And it’s the first Christmas magic that settles in our city,” said one neighbor.
“We often pass by there, my partner and I, to take walks. And it’s really impressive, all the effort they put in,” said another neighbor.
And what is Pat’s favorite piece? A Grinch statue, which he likes featuring in his popular haunted house, well-known by neighbors during the Halloween season.
“Yeah, as a matter of fact, that’s one of my Halloween props that I undressed as the Grinch,” said Petraccione.
Montrealers can enjoy the Christmas lights display at 7265 Louis-Hémon Street until the end of the holiday season, a tradition that brings light to the neighborhood and also brings back memories of Pat’s mother.
“My mom crosses my mind every time because she was the Christmas freak and like putting the lights. So, when it comes that time of the year, I really think of my mom and it inspired me to do it,” said Petraccione.
