Tony Deal and his wife, Lisa, both lifelong residents of Portal, GA, love decorating for Christmas. They are continuing a family tradition started by Tony’s parents, Freddie and Elise Deal with a beautiful outdoor light display at their Portal home. The Deals’ display has become a local tradition made popular thanks to word of mouth and a Grice Connect story last year.
Tony and Lisa team up every November to decorate their front yard just as they have done for nearly thirty years. It took Deal eight weeks of Saturdays and afternoons to clean up the downed trees and remove the debris following the storm that took many by surprise earlier this season. He is grateful his house and shop did not withstand much structural damage.
"Once I got through cleaning up the damage from the hurricane, it's been smooth," Deal says of his recent decorating endeavors. "I spent a lot of time cleaning up where I decorate."
Finally, on the Friday before Thanksgiving, Deal and his wife were ready to create their Christmas magic. It took them five full days to complete the outdoor masterpiece they are eager to share with the public.
"We always buy more stuff every year and put it out," Deal says when asked if there are any new additions to the lights and inflatables this year.
In addition to a new "wing" of decorations, Deal created a two-lane "road" with a clear entrance and an exit to streamline the process for viewers.
"We probably increased a third more stuff this year just to accommodate and in and an out lane."
The new traffic pattern has proved helpful, and guests have been enjoying the outdoor display at the Deals since Thanksgiving night.
The house is located at 3800 Ben Grady Collins Road in Portal and guests can visit from 5:30pm to 1:00am. Please remember this is a private residence and to tour respectfully.
"The first night I had two vehicles come through asking was this TMT Farms, and I told them that we would not make a good opening act for TMT Farms," Deal says modestly with a chuckle.
For more information about the Deal light display, please click here.
