Medford Township has a number of holiday traditions.
The Dickens Festival recently had its 25th annual event in Medford Village.
Township residents annually visit Kirby’s Mill to get their photo taken with Santa Claus.
However, one of the township’s newest traditions is a constant line of cars parking on the side of Taunton Road near St. Peter’s Episcopal Church to view one of the brightest displays of Christmas lights in the township.
The display, known as The Lights on Taunton Road, has captivated Medford residents for the past three years. The display, featuring between 65,000 and 70,000 lights, illuminates the night near the intersection of Taunton and Himmelein roads.
The person behind the light display is Amber Merefield, who has lived at the house on Taunton Road for more than a decade. Ever since she moved in, she has put up Christmas lights.
However, it has only been since 2012 that she has lined her entire house, shed, tree, shrubs and fence with lights.
“I just started with lights my parents gave me,” Merefield said. “In 2012, I doubled the size.”
Merefield was inspired to line her entire property with lights after seeing pictures of a similar project on an online forum called Planet Christmas. Putting up Christmas lights was something she always enjoyed doing, because it allowed her to be creative and think outside the box.
“I kind of just stand across the street and visualize it,” Merefield said.
In addition to the lights on the house, Merefield’s yard includes multi-colored trees of all different sizes, north poles lining the drive and a light-up globe hanging next to her front door.
None of those decorations were purchase from the store. Merefield makes all of them herself using various materials. The clear globe was made out of plastic cups, while the trees were made out of PVC pipes and tomato plant cages. She then wraps lights around each item after making them. The only decorations Merefield purchased for her display are a few plastic figurines.
“I buy all of the materials at Lowe’s,” she said. “People see me in there and wonder what I’m making.”
Beginning in November, numerous family members visit Merefield’s house to begin putting up the lights, which is a lengthy process. Merefield works on the display on any free day she has in November to complete the project in time for the holidays.
“If I’m free for an entire day, I’ll be out there for 10 to 12 hours,” she said.
The Lights on Taunton Road has caught the attention of passing motorists since being fully erected in 2012. Merefield has made the first lighting of the year an event, inviting residents to come to the house and watch the lighting on Thanksgiving night. She said about 30 people come out to watch the lighting each year.
This year, Merefield said traffic in front of her house has increased. Vehicles can be seen stopping throughout the night. Merefield didn’t realize how much of an impact the display had on people until she started getting feedback from residents.
“I started getting letters from people,” she said. “It really makes some people feel a lot better during the holiday season.”
Bringing joy to others is a big reason why Merefield puts up the lights each year. She doesn’t enter any contest or seek out fame for her work. She simply enjoys the holidays and hopes her display brings joy to others in the community
