You can't miss Robert Cox's holiday spirit. The Baldwin Borough man has put up 75,000 flashing lights for a Christmas extravaganza in his yard at 1736 Beryl Drive.

There are lots of "wows" from visitors, he said. In fact, "wow whee" is the first phrase said by his daughter Alyvia, now 3, at the sight of the family's first display, a modest 10,000 lights put up two Christmas seasons ago.

	Rebecca Droke, Post-Gazette Robert Cox decorates his Baldwin Borough home with 75,000 lights that are controlled by a computer, as well as inflatables, giant candy canes, spiral trees and arches. He and his wife, Raquel, started putting them up on Oct. 1 and turned them on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Click photo for larger image.

She's got a lot more to talk about this season. Besides the 75,000 red, green, clear and multicolored strings of lights, there are 13 inflatables, including Santa in a helicopter on the roof. There is also a forest of 68 tall candy canes, 10 12-foot glittery spiral trees; five 10-foot decorated arches over the driveway, and more.

And, of course, the reason for the season is prominent with a nativity scene. Traditional carols are played through a speaker from a stereo system.

"It's just your average Christmas display, only super-sized," Mr. Cox said.

He estimated that the attraction draws 100 to 150 cars daily, and many donations are dropped in his collection box for Children's Hospital's research center.

Spreading such holiday cheer and creating excitement for children is the driving force behind the display, which Mr. Cox, 25, and his wife, Raquel, 24, enjoy creating. Besides Alyvia, the couple has an 8-month-old daughter, Demitria.

Last year's 27,000-light display won Baldwin's community Light-Up Contest.

The Coxes purchased most of the new lights and attractions at last year's after-Christmas sales, and at flea markets and garage, estate and store sales this year.

Mr. Cox began the wiring in July and hanging lights in October.

Mr. Cox, who has a degree in computer and electronics engineering from ITT Technical Institute, used a computer program to make light displays flash.

The music comes from the same computer program but required 10 hours of programming by the couple for each song to match the lights.

Mr. Cox also programmed the music so it can heard up to 100 feet from the house.

The program for the entire display turns on nightly at 5:30, and off at 11:30 p.m. weekdays and midnight on weekends.

And, while he has no idea what his next electric bill will be, he has read that using flashing lights will keep the cost down.

Mr. Cox, who works as a field service copier repairman for Caltonics National in Scott, estimated the production required about 600 total hours of computer work.

While technology makes it all go, the exhibit owes a great deal to human endeavor, for better or worse.

Mr. Cox bears a scar on his elbow from scraping against a rusty nail he pounded in a tree last year to hang something, then forgot to remove.

This year he found himself trapped inside a 12-foot spiral tree as he held fast to the center post to keep from tipping over.

His wife had to lift the structure to free him.

Regardless, the most challenging aspect of the operation is concealing the 1¹/₂ miles of extension cords, especially in the light of day.

"We're probably one of the few families in Pittsburgh hoping for snow," Mr. Cox said.

"I think it's awesome," neighbor Carol Wampler said of the display She said it is as much a neighborhood affair as it is a family affair.

Mrs. Wampler baked treats for the Coxes' Nov. 25 Light Up Night. Her husband, Dale, aided with the wiring, and children Samantha, 7, and Justin, 5, carried items from the Cox garage while contributing their expertise on all things Santa-related to help direct the layout.

The Wamplers not only don't mind the traffic the display generates, but enjoy seeing visitors venture outside their cars for a closer look.

"We go out on the porch and watch it ourselves," Mrs. Wampler said.

Next year, Mr. Cox said he may start consulting on computerized decorating -- but for a fee.

He also plans to have a new electrical system installed and build a storage shed to free space in the garage and attic for more -- what else? -- "You can never have enough lights," he said.

For more, contact Mr. Cox at oholylights@hotmail.com.

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Correction/Clarification: (Published Dec. 15, 2006) The e-mail address for Robert Cox, who has an elaborate light display at his Baldwin home, is oholylight@hotmail.com This story as originally published Dec. 14, 2006 gave an incorrect address.