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Here are the season's best decorations

December 14, 2003 1:09 am

FOURTEEN years ago, I heard about a fellow in Leavells Crossing subdi- vision in Spotsylvania County who had a Christmas display so bright and eye-popping it just had to be seen.

My visit with Ken Buhmann became a column on the then "new" trend of bright lights and decorations.

It was also the spark for a column the following Christmas that's become a holiday tradition in this space: my yearly listing of the region's Grand Holiday Displays.

Today's is the 13th annual listing of homes that are pretty, pretty wild or pretty amazing. There are 60 houses from Colonial Beach to Widewater to Lake Anna.

This year, the growing number of nominations from readers made it impossible to list them all, so I did my best to whittle them down to the most mem-orable.

Likewise, many who wrote in left out critical information like directions, addresses and phone numbers.

Next year, there will be more trimming to make this a list that's easier to use.

As in past years, a winner has been chosen and will be featured in Tuesday's column.

OK, you ask, why bring up Buhmann this year?

The Buhmanns moved away in 1990, but are now back in the Fredericksburg area in a home he can decorate.

So what if his wife has, as he put it, made him go from tacky to tasteful in the home in Spotsylvania's South Woods subdivision?

What matters is that his decorations, like all the others on the list, are done in the spirit of the season.

So without further ado, grab the eggnog and Aunt Edna, pile into the SUV and let the official 2003 light-cruising season begin.

Stafford County

32 HOLLYWOOD FARM ROAD. (On the right a few hundred feet from State Route 3, about seven miles past Ferry Road.) Loops of light brighten the night at this beautiful country home, with snowmen, a dolphin and more.

336 HOLLYWOOD FARM ROAD. (Well past the last house, on the right.) Reindeer and lights, a big Santa and a Merry Christmas message.

33 RANDOLPH ROAD. (Left on Ferry Road from State Route 3 east, and then a right onto Randolph, which goes left and then right before this house, just past Ferry Farm Baptist Church.) Santa and Mrs. Claus, white lights all over, angels and more.

14 BRIARWOOD DRIVE. (From Ferry Road, a right onto Colebrook, then a right on Briarwood.) With lights, a manger scene with flock, shepherds and so much more, an annual display visited by many.

66 BRIARWOOD DRIVE. (Past the last house.) Lights, a manger scene, greenery and a train and Santa in the yard.

324 EDWARDS DRIVE. (From White Oak Road, take Little Whim to the first left on Julie Road and a right onto Edwards) Reindeer in the yard, star on the house, big bow on the chimney and more.

441 SMITH ST. (From Deacon Road, take a left onto Brooke. About a mile later, a left onto Smith. Top of the hill.) One of the real high-wattage stops. Lights on every bush and tree. Big bulbs on some of the lights make the brilliant display extra fun.

116 WASHINGTON ST. (In Falmouth bottom, below Belmont.) Lights everywhere, candy canes, reindeer and more.

96 LEELAND ROAD. (From Deacon Road, take Leeland Road toward the commuter lot.) The yard is filled with snowmen, wise men, circle trees, reindeer and much more. One of the Christmas splashes that occurs each year.

660 TRUSLOW ROAD. (From U.S. 1, take Truslow Road a little over two miles, soon after the I-95 bridge, on right.) Candy canes, a toy shop with elves, snowmen, toy soldiers, Santa falling from the chimney and other holiday figures.

180 HARWILL DRIVE. (Take Poplar Road, State Route 616, off U.S. 17 past Mountain View Road to Harwill Acres, follow Harwill on around to the house.) Dramatic view of this house outlined in red, white and blue. There are gingerbread men, stars, lollipops and a host of other sights.

37 HULLS CHAPEL ROAD. (From U.S. 1, take Mountain View Road, State Route 627, past Stafford High School. As soon as you cross I-95, take a left onto Enon Road. Just before Hull's Memorial Baptist Church, take a right on Hulls Chapel Road. The house is just around the corner on the left.) A handmade Nativity scene, cutouts and lights combine to make this a yearly favorite

130 CRANES CORNER ROAD. (Take Cranes Corner, U.S. 1, opposite from Mountain View. A ways in, on the right. ) Holly and candy canes on the fence, figures in the yard, Nativity scene and a decorated Christmas window.

2432 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD. (From U.S. 1 take Mountain View Road, State Route 627, just over nine miles. On the left, by a large pond.) Displays include Santa and reindeer, a big snowman, a manger scene, and a huge star, all reflected in a pond. A treat.

690, 682, 668, 650 and 612 RAMOTH CHURCH ROAD. (From U.S. 1 north, take a left onto American Legion Road, State Route 628, which soon becomes Ramoth Church Road. Several miles up on the left.) These houses all belong to members of the Cooper family, who have more lights, cutouts, figures, displays and decorations than you'll find almost anywhere else. Together, they light up the night with yard-filling displays.

1629 COURTHOUSE ROAD. (From U.S. 1 north, take a right onto Courthouse.) A wonderful display of lights and decorations.

168 HOPE ROAD. (From U.S. 1 heading north, take a right on Hope Road, State Route 687. A mile or so on the right.) Santa and Mrs. Claus waving, Santa going down the chimney, a Nativity scene, Snoopy and lights framing a large, sprawling display.

1207 HARBOUR DRIVE. (At the third right coming into Aquia Harbour.) This is undoubtedly the brightest display of Christmas lights, with strings on trees, the house and bushes casting a merry glow. More each year.

529 TELEGRAPH ROAD. (Take U.S. 1 north from Garrisonville, then a right at the Crucifix onto Telegraph Road. On the left several miles up.) Big card, figures in yard, a sleigh, snowmen and other treats.

4 CRATER LANE. (From Garrisonville Road, State Route 610, take Staffordboro Boulevard past the commuter lot. Turn left at the dead end past Foxwood Village office.) Everything in the yard is decorated, from the wishing well to trees, bushes and figures.

64 BOULDER DRIVE. (From State Route 610, take Mine Road into Austin Ridge subdivision. There, take first right, on Scotland Circle, a right onto Gunston Road and a right onto Boulder.) White, red and green lights, with wreaths and other decorations. Rest of street lighted also.

7 GRAY BIRCH DRIVE. (From State Route 610, take Eustace Road past H.H. Poole Middle School. Turn left onto Gray Birch.) Figures in the yard, Santa's workshop, colored lights on the house and a big snowman.

122 MATTHEW COURT. (Take State Route 610 west to a left on Eustace Road, and an immediate right into Matthew Court.) Lights on bushes, a reindeer, and stars on the tree in this cheery display.

730 STEFANIGA ROAD. (From State Route 610, take Shelton's Shop Road to a left on Mountain View and a quick right onto Stefaniga. Across from Hunter's Pond subdivision.) House has more than 7000 lights, "Love" spelled in red letters, a sleigh, reindeer, a life-size Santa Claus cutout and a 16-foot star.

206 LAUREL AVENUE. (Off Lafayette Boulevard, take Laurel into Spotswood Estates.) A neat replica of the Wright Brothers plane and a smaller space shuttle under the rainbow arch. Never fear. Santa in his sailboat is still here.

10719 LOVETTE DRIVE. (Off Leavells Road, take Leavells Crossing to a left on Lovette. On the right.) Dozens of figures in the yard, icicle lights on the house, a manger scene and more.

10709 WELLINGTON ST. (Off Leavells Road, take Cambridge to a left on Wellington.) Lots of lighted characters, including reindeer, snowman tipping his hat, manger and a star on the roof.

203 WILCOX ST. (From State Route 208, take Hood Drive to a right, between two stone houses, onto McGowan Drive, then a right onto Wilcox.) Reindeer, Santa, figures in the yard and even a decorated swing, and wagon wheels with lights at the driveway.

4708 HOOD DRIVE. (Just past the last house on Hood.) Candy canes out front, lights on roof and bushes and Nativity by the house.

6123 BLACKSTONE BLVD. (From Route 208, take Smith Station Road past Courtland Elementary School, left onto Blackstone Boulevard into Fox Point.) Big figures, a train, Santa on a bike, lights on the bushes and the Grinch on the porch. This whole subdivision is alive with lights and decorations.

6111 PROVIDENCE COURT. (Continue past the last house on Blackstone to a right on Providence.) Santa on the roof, snowmen in yard with reindeer and more.

6303 PROSPECT ST. (Back to Blackstone and continue away from entrance to a left on Prospect.) More than 40 hand-made cutouts fill the yard, with characters from Rudolph to The Grinch, Frosty and more. Lights and other decorations round out the child-friendly display.

6217 PROSPECT ST. (Continue from last house.) Take Blackstone a few blocks farther to Prospect, take a left and follow it around.) A big Santa and snowman, with little Santas, snowmen and many more figures. House across the street also a treat.

6312 SWEETBRIAR DRIVE. (Off Blackstone to a left coming in.) Lots of lighted figures in the yard, candy canes, gingerbread houses and a big Christmas box.

6212 BRIDLEPATH COURT. (From U.S. 1 south, take a left onto Massaponax Church Road to a right on Church Pond Road and a left into South Woods. First left is Bridlepath.) White lights, green garland and animated deer.

U.S. 1, JUST NORTH OF THORNBURG. (About a quarter-mile from the intersection of State Route 606 and U.S. 1, next to Jacobs Auto.) The first thing you see is a fence decorated with colored lights. Then looking up into the sloping yard, you see gatherings of every Christmas figure known to man. Very impressive display.

6408 MAXIE LEE COURT. (From Pizarro's Market, take Partlow Road toward Berkeley Elementary School. Turn into Locklear Landing subdivision and take first left, Richmond Drive to Maxie Lee.) A winter wonderland theme with children playing and animals enjoying the weather.

7309 TOWLES MILL ROAD. (Take State Route 208 toward Post Oak, to left on Towles Mill just before Spotsylvania High.) Lighted driveway leads to a house full of decorative lights, trees, wreaths and more, with Santa and his helpers and a patriotic display of both the American and Marine Corps flags.

9511 POST LANE. (Continue on State Route 208 past Spotsylvania High School, turning right soon after onto Post Lane.) Santa and his reindeer, an elves' toy shop, ice skaters and a pond, a Nativity scene and both lights and music.

5533 LEWISTON ROAD. (Take State Route 208 to a left at Post Oak. Eight miles down, take a left on State Route 601 at Good Hope Church. Second house on the left.) A Nativity scene is just one of the many figures that bring neighbors and friends back each year.

5332 LEWISTON ROAD. (A half-mile or so beyond the last house, on the right.) Beautiful, classic decorations on a white country house with greenery, red bows and white lights.

12602 WESLEY DRIVE. (Just off State Route 3, two miles west of Chancellor Elementary. Turn in at the Wesley Estates sign.) One of the area's brightest displays isn't done out as in past years, but still has lights and some characters.

6703 THOMAS COURT. (From Route 3 west, take a left onto Gordon Road, then a right onto Harrison Road and a left onto Stansbury. There are lighted deer, a train, snowmen and a many other figures.

11900 GORDON ROAD. (From Route 3 west, take a left onto Gordon. Just after the intersection with Gordon.) Snowflakes and stars, Santa climbing down the chimney, an angel watching over it all and a tree brightly showing its colors.

11900 HUNTING RIDGE DRIVE. (From State Route 3, take Andora Drive to a left on Old Plank Road, a right on Falcon Ridge Drive, a right on Stone Crossing Drive to a T at Hunting Ridge Drive.) One of the few houses where Santa has his sleigh pulled by a flock of pink flamingos. With snowmen and more.

3 SUMNER COURT. (From State Route 3, take Taskforce Drive to a right on Maple Grove to a right on Glazebrook and then a left onto Sumner Court.) There are so many lights and figures here, the sky glows. Flags, figures in the yard, Santa on the sled with a big star, a Nativity scene, you name it.

324 RIVERSIDE DRIVE. (From U.S. 1, take Fall Hill Avenue to a right on Riverside. Visible from Falmouth Bridge.) The Grinch, a rooftop Santa and lights aplenty make this big display.

3007 NORMANDY AVE. (Take Normandy Avenue from Fall Hill, on the left.) A flock of flamingos holding a "Seasons Greetings" sign highlights this fun, different collection. A Frosty and polar bear add to the fun.

3103 VILLAGE AVE. (Off Fall Hill Avenue in Normandy Village.) Icicle lights on the house, candy canes in the yard and more.

1822 CHARLES ST. (From Princess Anne Street, take Pelham to the intersection with Charles.) A big, lighted manger scene glows in the night.

519 HANOVER ST. (From Kenmore Avenue, take Hanover, on the left.) The house is brightly lighted, with Mary and Joseph, reindeer and many other figures set out in side yard.

197 STONEWALL DRIVE. (From U.S. 1, take Confederate Boulevard to a right on Stonewall.) White lights frame "Merry Christmas from the Glancys" as well as brightening everything from the house to the trees and figures. A true white Christmas spectacle.

104, 106, 107, 108 and more on SPRINGWOOD DRIVE. (Off Lafayette Boulevard near Twin Lakes Drive in Alum Springs Estates.) Several houses on both sides of the road that light up the night. White lights, reindeers, Santas on the roof, in the yard and up the chimney, a manger, icicle lights and red ribbons.

9010 INDIANTOWN ROAD. (From Dutch's Mart on State Route 206, take Indiantown, State Route 610, toward U.S. 301. Just on right.) The yard lights up with figures and cutouts, including a choir, moving reindeer and more.

9410 INDIANTOWN ROAD. (Continue past that house, also on the right.) Santa and a snowman, a manger, a train, carolers, a saluting soldier and other figures make this a neat holiday display.

14256 MELODY LANE. (From State Route 205 heading towards Colonial Beach, take a left on State Route 621 and the first left, onto Melody. At end of the road.) A wonderful display from a past yearly winner. Cutouts fill the yard, with a Nativity scene, carolers, Santa coming off the roof and a star on the house.

Corner of MONROE BAY AVENUE and JEFFERSON. (Along Monroe Bay.) Big snowmen, lights on the fence and other attractions light up the night.

219 THACKARY ST. (From Monroe Bay Avenue, two blocks away from the bay on Thackary.) Another tour regular. The house and yard are chock-full of cutouts, elves, choirs, boxes with Santa scenes and much more. (Adjacent house decorated also.)

322 LAFAYETTE ST. (Off Monroe Bay Avenue, on a point, therefore visible across the bay.) Moving figures in the yard, a big Santa and a gingerbread house highlight this display.

Corner of HAMILTON and LOSSING streets. (Hamilton is off Monroe Bay Avenue.) Red bows and figures toy soldiers, icicle lights and a Christmas goose.

12838 BLACKWELLS MILL ROAD (From U.S. 17 to Hartwood Road, State Route 612, to a left on State Route 616 to a left on State Route 617, Blackwells Mill. About a mile down, on the right.) Lights on the house and yard, with candy canes, Santa Claus, a sleigh, reindeer, an angel and decorated trees.