Holiday lights a ‘passion project’ for Miami man
Every year, Victor Pedroso worries about a lot of things concerning his holiday lights.
Will there be a storm? He starts decorating outside in October, during hurricane season. Or, will there be torrential rain? This is also a problem for the dozens of decorations that cover his lawn and roof.
He worries about Santa and, especially, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer leading the sleigh up on his roof.
Pedroso, who has been decorating since 2014, is so devoted to sharing his holiday lights and toys that he sometimes stays up all night making sure everything is just right.
And he loves that other light-lovers visit, and sometimes travel from west and north Florida and beyond, to see his design every year. People find his house on Google, he said.
In 2021, he was even contacted by a casting producer for ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight” TV series. He wasn’t selected, but said, “it was an honor to just be considered.”
“It’s a passion project every year and I am amazed at how it has grown and progressed,” Pedroso said.
But this year, something almost stopped him.
Right after Hurricane Nicole was threatening, he suddenly had severe pain in his side. His wife, Desiree Pedroso, whom he calls “patient, understanding and loving,” took him to the hospital where he had to have emergency gallbladder surgery.
Three days later he was home, resting, but still anxious to decorate. He said he took it day by day.
“I was constantly being reminded by my family not to push it too much,” he said. “Easier said than done.”
He’s finished now, he thinks. This year, he added “a nook in the center of the display where one can walk in and feel surrounded by the lights.”
This is in addition to the North Pole, a nativity scene, penguins, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the Grinch, Clark Griswold, misfit toys, a regal lion, inflatables galore, and lighted walkways filled with characters that are “good for picture opportunities.”
“I have a lot of new stuff and replacement stuff this year so it should be fun,” he said. “On Christmas, it’s great to visit because I know, from our own situation, that the week after the kids have off many parents will need stuff to do with them during the evening hours.”
And now, he can relax for another year, he said last week.
“It’s relaxation time, lots of quality family time, and since I’m still recovering from the surgery, a little R&R&R — rest, relaxation and recovery.”
Pedroso’s holiday display is at 6140 SW 46th Terr. in Miami. Don’t be surprised if you see him outside tinkering in the evening. Bulbs go out, and there are a lot of them.
Family hosts 50-year-old tradition
Back in the olden days, in 1972 at “Hunter Field,” the backyard of a house in Coral Gables, the “Pork Bowl” began.
It is the Massey family’s tradition that takes place every year during Christmas break. And there is intense competition for the “Old Guys” vs. the “Young Guys.”
This year, they will host the 50th annual “Pork Bowl,” a renowned Miami event that includes “a serious touch football game followed by a beer frisbee match,” said family member Andrew Brent.
“It pits two brothers and dozens of Palmetto alumni against each other. It is going strong after five decades,” he said. This year it will be held Dec. 29.
After starting in the backyard, it moved to “Pinecrest Field” (Pinecrest Elementary School) and then to “Pork Bowl Field” (Peacock Park in Coconut Grove) where it is still played today.
“The Old Guys are led by older brother Steve Massey (Palmetto ’71 and currently of Coconut Grove) and consists of his friends,” said Brent, who is Steve Massey’s son-in-law.
“The Young Guys are led by younger brother Craig Massey (Palmetto ’73 and Palmetto student body president in 1972) and consists of his friends.
Today, it is a major day-long annual event with spectators and music.
“Steve, Craig and several of the original group, as well as their children and grandchildren, are active annual participants. And, of course, there is the Pork Bowl trophy on which annual plaques commemorate the scores, winners, and disputes,” he said.
Brent added that “The Old Guys” are largely the 1971 Palmetto football team players and alumni from the Miami Rugby Club.
“The third and youngest brother, Scott Massey (nicknamed Boomer) regularly auctions his services off to the highest bidder between the old guys and the young guys,” Brent said.
The young guys have also been known to try and buy off the services of some of the more formidable members of the Old Guys squad.”
Steve Massey’s son, Brett Massey (one of the Young Guys), and grandson Noah Brent (age 13, but on the Old Guys team), also play in the Pork Bowl.
The frisbee portion often goes on until midnight with lights furnished by car headlights.
In past years, following the Pork Bowl, Steve Massey’s band, “Roadkill,” headed by band leader Burt Bruton, played at the Coconut Grove’s King Mango Strut.
The Strut is back on this year at 2 p.m., Jan. 8, 2023 and “Roadkill” will be again rocking on a float. More at https://kingmangostrut.org/
“The entire group always considered the King Mango Strut as its ‘Pork Bowl Parade’ and regularly entered the Pork Bowl Queen and her Court into the parade accompanying the Roadkill Band Float,” Brent said.
The Pork Bowl Queen is Iris Massey, the brothers’ mother, who just celebrated her 93rd birthday. She will, of course, attend this year’s 50th annual event.
Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.
