Congratulations to Deacon Dave from Livermore for winning ABC’s Christmas light competition, “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” Deacon Dave, whose real name is Dave Rezendez, has been decorating his Livermore home since 1982, missing only one year due to Covid.
Flocks of people have come every year to Dave’s house, lovingly named Casa Del Pombo, which is Portuguese for House of the Dove.
Each year, Deacon Dave has a theme for his light display. The winning theme was titled, “Through the Eyes of a Child,” and featured more than 875,000 bulbs and 44 Christmas trees.
ABC filmed his home last year and admitted they had been inviting Dave to participate in the show for years, but he always turned them down.
Last year, with prompts from volunteers and the community, he accepted the challenge and beat out three other participants to take home the coveted Light Fight trophy and $50,000.
“As for the cash prize, he (Deacon Dave) told the Chronicle he will be putting it toward Santa’s Secret Service, a program run through St. Michael’s Church that collects Christmas gifts for those at the VA Hospital in Livermore, care centers for the elderly and more” (San Francisco Chronicle).
The Gamache Team originally wrote about Deacon Dave’s house years earlier. As Livermore Realtors, we knew all about Deacon Dave and his desire to decorate for the town.
More Than Just a Holiday Light Show
People from all over come to see the lights at Deacon Dave’s and to take in the magic of the holiday season. But Deacon Dave’s holiday show has also been the inspiration for 82 proposals.
Last year, a couple brought their sick child to see the light display and credit Dave for curing their son of his cancer.
Deacon Dave has a box for Santa to receive letters from hopeful boys and girls. One year, a boy tugged on Dave’s robe and asked him to deliver his letter of hope to Santa, with the caveat that the boy and his parents were homeless. The boy wanted to make sure Santa could find him to deliver his presents.
Deacon Dave had his assistants make sure the boy’s wish list came true and that Santa knew exactly where to find this family.
Visit Deacon Dave’s Light Display
Visitors can delight in Deacon Dave’s holiday light display now until January 1st at 352 Hillcrest Ave., Livermore. Hours are Sun – Thur 6PM to 9PM and Fri & Sat 6PM to 10PM. Deacon Dave doesn’t charge for admission but donations are accepted.
