'Overwhelmed': Tinley Park Family Wins Great Chicago Light Fight 2023

TINLEY PARK, IL — When the camera crew had left and the crowd went back to their Friday morning, it really started to sink in for Chris Hirsch.

All his—and his family's—hard work decorating their home on Nottingham Drive in Tinley Park had gotten the praise it deserved. They brought ABC7's Great Chicago Light Fight title back to their hometown. Tinley Park last won the competition in 2021, and prior to then, 2019.

In front of a crowd of family, friends, Village officials and neighbors, the spotlight was on Chris, Jorilyn, Kyle and Joshua Hirsch as they were crowned winners of the news network's holiday lights contest.

"Overwhelmed with gratitude," said Jori Hirsch, of how she felt after the win. "We just live in such an amazing community. I was just overwhelmed, watching the boys enjoy it was priceless. They deserved this win, because they worked their butts off."

Chris Hirsch agreed. Kyle, 16, and Joshua, 13, stepped up to bring this year's display at 7805 Nottingham Drive to fruition, after Chris suffered an arm injury that required surgery. As Chris' arm hung in a sling, the 150,000-light display hung in limbo—a massive undertaking even for someone with two good arms.

It wouldn't have happened this year without his sons, Chris Hirsch said.

"After my injury, those are the people who stepped up," he said. "Kyle was out there at 11 at night, we’d have to turn the lights off, tell him he had to come in and eat dinner because he had school the next day. "

The Tinley Park home was up against six others including another Tinley Park home, and others in Lombard, Lynwood, South Holland, Batavia and Schaumburg. Hirsch said their home received half of the total votes.

"Congratulations to the Hirsch family on winning ABC7’s Great Chicago Light Fight," said Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz. "We’re so proud of the fact that Tinley Park has won this competition three times in the past five years. These beautifully decorated houses inspire a great sense of Holiday spirit in the Tinley Park community and provide a great way to help local charities in need."

Chris Hirsch said he was looking forward to the newfound fame the boys will experience at school following the announcement.

"... they’re going to walk in and be celebrities today," he said. "For them to be able to feel that and live that is awesome."

Kyle, he said, has been key in not only completing the display each year, but in its origin.

"All the way back four years ago, I had no intention of decorating," Chris Hirsch said. But Kyle nudged him. He's proud to see how much it's grown. The two sat together taking it all in, Chris said.

"To see where this has gone, and to sit back..." Chris said. "To see him grow, watch the excitement that comes out of him, what the future holds for him and this display. Without Kyle, this display would be nowhere near where it is today."

Sharing the win with Kyle was special, he said.

"When Kyle gave me a hug and there was tears in his eyes, it hit home," Chris said. "It was a bond with him that I’ll remember forever.

"... This is real."

He was quick to note, though, that Joshua's role is essential to the display.

"Joshua does a lot—he’s the one out there dressed as characters," Chris said. He’s the one entertaining people."

The Hirsch family has been decorating for several years, and adds elements each year. New to the display this Christmas is Santa in his sleigh with reindeer, poised to fly off the roof. Also added to the display are themed trees, white with specific colors aimed at recognizing specific diseases or conditions and honoring those afflicted. Green lights, to recognize Chris' dad and other heart transplant survivors, along with mental health. Blue to honor Jori's mother and father, as well acknowledge Fabry disease. Purple for pancreatic cancer and lupus. Other trees are nods to stroke sufferers. The causes have touched Jori and Chris personally, whether among family members or friends.

They seek opportunities to personalize the display and enhance the sentimentality, Jori said. Particularly special this year is the addition of her mother's ceramic village. Since her mother's death in 2012, the village has been in storage.

"I have not touched the village in quite some time," Jori told Patch. "I grew up putting the village up with my mom every year, this year my son Kyle and I put it up together. It was amazing—happy tears."

For its win, the family receives an ornament with the title of Great Light Fight Champion on it, as well as the popularity and bit of celebrity that go with it. Chris wanted to be sure to thank his longtime friend Larry Marfoe, who he praised as his "left arm" who helped him for two weeks following the surgery.

Victory is sweet, but this isn't about competition for Chris, he said. The display is also intended to generate donations to Tinley Park PAWS, he stressed.

"I can’t emphasize this enough—we don’t do this for a competition," he said. "I am a very competitive person by nature, it’s in my blood.

"I don’t decorate to be competitive, I decorate to bring smiles, happiness into a world that needs it right now."

The Hirsch home is located at 7805 Nottingham Drive. Hours for viewing are 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Donations are encouraged but not required. Visitors should tune to 89.9 FM to catch the trees singing along to Christmas tunes, and other musical features.

Follow the Hirsch Christmas Lights Facebook page for the latest on the display.