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arts entertainmentHolidays

How many Aggies does it take to create a crazy Christmas light display in Dallas? 

No Texas A&M jokes here. The owners of one North Dallas home have just put every Longhorn fan on notice when it comes to getting in the Christmas spirit.

Otherwise known as Lights on Orangewood, the home's elaborate dancing light display plays a programmed maroon-and-white show in time with the Aggie War Hymn. That's cool and all, but just wait until you get to minute 1:45... (University of Texas fans, be warned. You will not like it.)

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"Clark Griswold-ing" your house with a crazy dancing  lights display at Christmastime isn't all that unique anymore; you can see twinkling lights set to traditional holiday music in practically any town these days. You know the type: Drivers out on a festive neighborhood lights tour will pull over and set their analogue radio stations to a certain channel (usually posted in front of the display) in order to see the show in its full glory.

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Lights on Orangewood, takes it to the next level. Rivalry-wise, I don't have a horse in this race (insert SMU Mustang joke, if you must); I love my Aggie and Longhorn friends equally. But, I've got to admit: Blasting a set of sawed-off horns across the rooftop of an otherwise unassuming residence is a pretty sick burn.

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According to Facebook, the light show runs from 6-10 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. to midnight on weekends, and there's a Toys for Tots collection box in the yard. But... there's one thing missing from the page: a physical address. (So, maybe there is an Aggie joke in this after all?)

No, no. That's by design. The guy behind the display, homeowner Brett Hoelting, says he keeps the exact address on the quieter side as a show of respect to his neighbors; he wants folks who are interested to come see the display, but he is cognizant that traffic he draws could be a nuisance to those around him. Hey, he's a small town guy at heart. It's hard not to love that. That said, he's cool -- and very responsive -- if you'd like to send a message for more information.

Hoelting started the elaborate RGB lights display about five years ago, shortly after graduating from A&M, at his parents' home in the Panhandle. He's since moved it to Dallas, and he does it with the help of his brother -- who's a Red Raider, in case you were interested. It's basically a "year-round hobby that we get to enjoy for about a month every year," he says.

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So why does he do it? Well, Hoelting says Aggies are a spirited bunch, and while you won't see him at every single game, he does try to make it down to College Station at least once a year. Having a newborn at home has slowed down the tailgating, but "you better believe" he's watching each game back here in Dallas.

But, as much as he loves his Aggies, the collegiate display has always been in jest. Back in the Panhandle, it was just a little way to poke fun at the Tech fans all around his parents' home. He never does it to make anyone truly upset.

"It's just a cool feeling to be able to put a smile on people's faces," he says. "That's kind of what the season is all about."

H/t: The Eagle