Philip Gallant, left, and his sister, Nadine Tibbits, have turned Gallant’s property into a Christmas wonderland in honour of their father James Gallant, who died earlier this year. James spent 38 years putting on a Christmas lights display that hundreds of Islanders turned out to see every year. Tibbits is holding a picture of her father that is displayed on the sign behind her. Dave Stewart Photo by Dave Stewart /The GuardianArticle contentNORTH RUSTICO, P.E.I. – The family of James Gallant is making sure the North Rustico man’s Christmas legacy lives on.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentJames Gallant started decorating his house on Allen Street in North Rustico with a huge, bright display of Christmas lights in 1989 in memory of his son, Brian, who was killed in an ATV accident in 1988.Article contentArticle contentIt kept growing to the point where he added to the display every year and soon people were travelling from all over P.E.I. to walk his property and take it in – from buses of seniors’ homes to motorcoach tours and everyday Islanders. A donation box on the property raised funds for the P.E.I. Make a Wish Foundation.Article contentArticle contentIn April, Gallant succumbed to cancer at the age of 86.Article contentNow, his son, Philip Gallant, has the decorations and has moved them to his own property on nearby Spring Street.Article content Nadine Tibbits, left, and Philip Gallant said everyone’s favourite Christmas decoration at their father, James Gallant’s, house was his archway. People have gotten engaged over the years here. Photo by Dave Stewart /The GuardianArticle contentPrecious memoriesArticle contentThe Guardian stopped by to speak to Gallant and his sister, Nadine Tibbits, at the Spring Street home on Dec. 2. The Christmas display circles the entire house and is probably best enjoyed by walking the grounds.Article content“I’m doing it for him,” Gallant said, growing a bit emotional. “He put too much time and too much effort into it. I didn’t want to see it all go to waste (and) I didn’t want to see all of it broken up. I took it in the house with him (after Christmas) for 38 years, so I wanted to do this.”Article contentGallant has taken everything that was at his father’s house and is displaying it at his house – the archway where couples have gotten engaged, the handmade crib that meant so much to James, Santa’s elves and the wooden train.Article contentArticle contentTibbits said it is poignant that her father started doing this as he grieved for his son and it eventually turned into giving thousands of Islanders so much Christmas joy in the 38 years that has passed since her brother’s death.Article contentArticle content“It is unbelievable what this has turned into,” Tibbits said.Article contentLabour of loveArticle contentGallant said he has already spent about 25 hours fixing some of his father’s Christmas displays.Article content Philip Gallant of North Rustico has not only decorated the outside of his home with Christmas but the inside as well. He has a large Christmas village collection. Photo by Dave Stewart /The GuardianArticle contentTibbits said the Christmas display became a labour of love for her father.Article content“He would order patterns and coming on the end of it he would make it up in his head,” Tibbits said. “Out of all the brothers, (Philip) was the right one for this and I was glad when he stepped up and said he was going to do it.”Article contentGallant said there are pieces of equipment his father displayed that came from the United States and every time he saw something being designed – such as the time Tibbits built a gingerbread house as a young girl – he was determined to build a wooden version and add it to the collection.
North Rustico holiday lights display carries on in new location after death of P.E.I.’s ‘Mr. Christmas’
