The Boulevard Christmas lights about to shine in Ivanhoe East

IT’S beginning to look at lot like Christmas with The Boulevard festive lights about to be switched on.

Perry Labiris has been decorating his house on The Boulevard, Ivanhoe for Christmas since he moved on the street 22 years ago.

IT’S beginning to look at lot like Christmas with The Boulevard festive lights about to be switched on.

The warm glow of fairy lights and Father Christmas atop his sleigh, flown by his loyal reindeers, are just a few of the wonderful sights people will see when they flock to Ivanhoe East show from Saturday.

Banyule Council data show the lights attract an ­estimated 44,000 every year, and about 3700 are expected every night.

Perry Labiris has been decorating his home for 22 years and loves the tradition.

He said he had lived in Ivanhoe since he was 12 — ­before he moved to The Boulevard — and he enjoyed the Christmas lights as a child.

“I used to go down to the lights with friends and walk along,” Mr Labiris said.

“When I did buy a home along The Boulevard, I kept up the tradition.”

“I used to go down to the lights with friends and walk along. When I did buy a home along The Boulevard, I kept up the tradition,” — Perry Labiris

Among the goodies in Mr Labiris’ front garden will be a papier-mâché Father Christmas and reindeers. There will also be some specially wrapped presents and a life-size, moving nativity scene.

Banyule Mayor Craig Langdon said the tradition on the The Boulevard began in the 1950s.

“And every year, many residents seem to go to even greater lengths to dazzle onlookers and put on a spectacular show, often with accompanying music,” Cr Langdon said.

The Banyule council manages the traffic for the nightly event from 8.30-11pm starting December 13 until Wednesday, December 24.