A Very Merry Film Crew Rolls At Tinley Park's Hirsch Family Lights

TINLEY PARK, IL — A film crew from a well-known national TV and movie network—nope, we're not allowed to say which one, so don't ask us—visited Tinley Park's Hirsch family lights Monday.

The crew visited the home of ABC7's Great Chicago Light Fight 2023 winner Monday night, rolling footage while chatting with neighbors and visiting with adoptable furry friends from Tinley Park PAWS.

Tinley Park's Mayor Mike Glotz stopped by, with Village Manager Pat Carr. Also making an appearance were Santa Claus and Homewood Disposal's Wendy the Waste Truck.

We can't tell you who they were, or from where they came—but we can tell you we'll likely know more by summer. And it's going to be worth the wait.

The Hirsch family—Chris, Jorilyn, Kyle and Joshua—made news last week when they were announced the winners of the broadcast news network's holiday lights competition. The crew was greeted Monday with hot chocolate, cupcakes—and plenty of smiling faces ready to show off their hometown pride.

"Overwhelmed with gratitude," Jori Hirsch told Patch last week, 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.

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."

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

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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. Donations are not required, but encouraged. A dropbox is available on-site, and a Venmo QR code is also provided.

"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.