Family’s Christmas light show in danger of being shut down due to complaints

<p>After over&nbsp;a&nbsp;decade of putting on their own holiday light show, an Old Bridge family is facing obstacles amid neighbor complaints.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 28, 2018, 4:07 AM

Updated 2,206 days ago

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After over a decade of putting on their own holiday light show, an Old Bridge family is facing obstacles amid neighbor complaints.
The Apruzzis already have their Christmas decorations sitting outside and they are set to light up at the beginning of December.
Last year, the family's Central Avenue house drew crowds of about 13,000 people over a 23-day period and raised $4,500 for St. Jude's Hospital and Wounded Warriors.
"I'm trying to bring joy and happiness to people's families at the worst time of the year and this is what I get," says Tom Apruzzi.
Mayor Owen Henry says 15 neighbors have complained about traffic and dangers to pedestrians who clutter the street.
"We are not turning the light off on Central Avenue," Henry says. "We are making sure that the event is held in an orderly and safe manner."
Henry says he wants to make sure emergency vehicles can move around and says that four police officers are needed at a cost of $2,000 a night.
The town also suggested the family shuttle people to the home, but the mayor says they are not forcing them to do so.
The neighbors who complained about the light show did not speak to News 12 but others says they want to see the tradition continue.
"It's a family event -- this is festive holiday season," says Chris McNulty. "You've got generations of families coming out to this."
If the Apruzzis don't pay the $46,000 bill upfront, they are likely to find a bill in the mail.
To offset the cost, the family has started a GoFundMe Page.