Grafton Man Takes Christmas Lights To A New Level

In Local

Ralph (Snapper) Rutherford is one person who really gets into the spirit of Christmas.

Rutherford lives at 163 Academy Hill Road north of Grafton just off County Road 23 (Lyle Street).

In fact, he has so many things to display, he actually starts months in advance drawing a map where everything will go in his yard and each year designs something different.

“He loves doing it, and does it to make people smile,” said his daughter Allie.

Rutherford used to do it when he lived on Northshore Road south of Grafton, but since moving to Academy Hill Road, there is more space and the display grows each year.

Althought people always tend to think he hires someone to put up the display, Rutherford does it himself, and event rents a boom truck to put the lights high up in the trees.

The lights go on at 5:15 p.m. and go off at 11 p.m. nightly.

Pete Fisher
Author: Pete Fisher

Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love

Join Our Newsletter!

Want to keep up to date on news and events in Northumberland? Subscribe to newsletter!

You may also read!

Video – Photo Gallery – What a Scorcher of a Day!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5NUbMVT57s The word on everyone's lips throughout Tuesday, July 14, 2026, was simple: hot. With temperatures climbing above 30°C, anyone spending

Read More...

Video – In My Opinion – Mixed Messages Continue to Raise Questions About Emergency Response in Northumberland County

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsL1WTG6V2g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAVMn6XUhFQ Questions continue to be raised about emergency medical response in Northumberland County as two separate incidents in Cobourg on

Read More...

Northumberland OPP – Staff Member Assaulted at Warkworth Institution

The Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating an assault at Warkworth Institution. On July 10, 2026,

Read More...

Mobile Sliding Menu