Published: December 10, 2007 05:56 pm            

WHEATFIELD: Santa makes pit stop in Wheatfield

Santa Claus will have no trouble finding the DePlato residence. In fact, you might say he’ll be able to spot their Wheatfield home from the North Pole.

For the seventh straight year, Paul DePlato is wowing children and adults alike with an impressive display of Christmas decorations and a visit by Santa.

“It all started 30 years ago when I decided to put some lights in two trees in front of my house,” said DePlato, 61. “I added a little every year.”

These days, children are invited to stop by the residence at 2430 Washington St. to visit one-on-one with Santa — from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday this year.

Having drawn 110 kids — the most ever — over two nights last year, DePlato said the event keeps getting bigger. “My goal is to someday have a police officer directing traffic.”

Eunice Heuer, who has lived on Washington Street for more than 40 years, said she enjoys the display.

“He works real hard on it,” said Heuer, who lives across the street. “It’s a beautiful display. Every year, he adds to it.”

DePlato, who noted he is not Santa at the event — he’s one of his helpers — said the look on the children’s faces describes why he keeps up with the display. Over the years, he’s had to add 27 electrical outlets to the display, which includes an 8-foot stable to house a nativity scene, a large “Noel” sign, a North Pole sign that is 16-feet wide, nine 4-foot-long reindeer, a wooden soldier and carolers.

With all of that, how long does it take to set things up?

“I start the decorating process the first week of October and it literally takes over 100 hours,” said DePlato, who 15 months ago became the chief financial officer of the YWCA of Niagara after working 40 years at Key Bank.

Despite all the work, DePlato said it’s a worthwhile endeavor given the reaction it gets from the kids. And, best of all — “I have the real Santa, not a fake one.

“(The kids) arrive with doubt in their eyes and leave as believers forever.”





BY THE NUMBERS

• 15,000: Watts of electricity used to power the display

• 10,000: Number of lights in it

• 27: Electrical outlets outside

• 100: Hours it takes to put up, and the number of extension cords used

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.