What began in 1990 as just a few holiday lawn ornaments in an Esquimalt front yard has snowballed into an annual festive spectacle, which thrills and wows thousands of visitors.

B次元官网网址淚t just grew and grew and grew and grew and B次元官网网址� grew,B次元官网网址� says Garfield Ostrander, the man behind the magic.

And heB次元官网网址檚 not exaggerating.

Tens of jolly Santas, multiple Grinches, snowmen, a jolly green dinosaur, a nativity scene, right through to an octopus in a (pear) tree are all waiting to be found among the Christmas carnival bonanza open every evening at 783 Hutchinson Rd.

But donB次元官网网址檛 ask Ostrander how many inflatables, lights and ornaments are meticulously stuffed into his backyard; he doesnB次元官网网址檛 have a clue.

B次元官网网址淚've never kept track, it's impossible,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚 don't even know if I could begin to count what I got.B次元官网网址�

And definitely donB次元官网网址檛 ask him what it costs to keep his display inflated, merry and bright; he's coy on the subject.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 four figures and the first one isn't a one,B次元官网网址� he says, a response he repeats often every evening while hundreds wander through his yard in awe of his work.

B次元官网网址淣o more than a nice boat for fishing or a set of golf clubs,B次元官网网址� he tells one visitor, offering them a ballpark.

B次元官网网址淚've created a monster,B次元官网网址� he adds.

B次元官网网址淎 fabulous monster,B次元官网网址� replies the woman.

You can literally hear the electricity in the air B次元官网网址� the sound of hundreds of fans and motors working overtime almost drowns out the gentle holiday music playing throughout the yard.

B次元官网网址淚 got about 25 to 30 dedicated circuits for the backyard here," he says. "And I had an electrician put a sub-panel in a shed.B次元官网网址�

As for its worth, Ostrander estimates he has spent tens of thousands of dollars curating his collection.

And that doesn't account for the time he has given over the decades to maintain his display, which is an all-year-round project, or hobby as Ostrander likes to call it.

B次元官网网址淚t just never stops,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l put all this away and clean it all up, and then by the time I get that done, I'll start poking around again.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚t's a methodical process, a little bit at a time,B次元官网网址� he adds.

It might sound like a full-time job, but Ostrander also somehow finds time to run his own painting business with his two sons, Garfield & Sons Painting.

In addition to the front and back yard displays, a room attached to the side of his house boasts an impressive miniature winter village, complete with a railway, the walls of the room lined with animated Santa dolls and vintage ornaments.

The room remains untouched all year round B次元官网网址� he simply closes the door when the holiday season is over on New Year's Day.

B次元官网网址淥nce I close down the display, I won't see that room till next November, B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淏ut I may peek in there once in a while, to make sure I haven't got a raccoon or something trapped in there.B次元官网网址�

As he wanders around his yard handing out candy canes B次元官网网址� he goes through cases each year B次元官网网址� Ostrander is showered with praise.

"It's phenomenal," says Kassandra Rodger who has been visiting for the past four years with her children. "It's absolutely amazing."

Another Esquimalt resident stops by to tell Ostrander his grandchildren visit from Vancouver every year with the sole purpose of exploring his holiday wonderland.

Another visitor says she has been coming to the garden for 12 years. B次元官网网址淚t makes me feel like a child again,B次元官网网址� she says.

His inspiration and love of the holidays come from his childhood in the B次元官网网址�50s and B次元官网网址�60s, growing up in Windsor, Ont., on the Detroit River, he explains. 

He remembers his mom driving him over to Detroit to look at the Christmas lights and decorations.

B次元官网网址淚t was pretty festive back in those days, pretty elaborate,B次元官网网址� said Ostrander. B次元官网网址淚 always figured if I ever settled down and got a place, I would do the same.B次元官网网址�

Looking around his backyard, packed full of visitors, he says, B次元官网网址淪o I fulfilled that part of my dreams.B次元官网网址�

In a world full of uncertainty, Ostrander hopes his display takes people back to the "wholesome good old days."

B次元官网网址淚t brings hope, happiness and gets people feeling good," he says. "It's great for everybody, not just me."

About the rumours circulating online that this is his last year, Ostrander rolls his eyes. 

B次元官网网址淚've never said that,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淢aybe IB次元官网网址檝e got another couple of years left, weB次元官网网址檒l see.

B次元官网网址淚 tell people I'm kind of getting a little tired, but mostly I just feel young all the time anyways.B次元官网网址�

Whenever Ostrander does decide to wrap things up, the thousands of visitors that flock to his home each year are sure to be disappointed.

But there might be one person relieved to see the Christmas carnival come to an end: his wife of 44 years.

B次元官网网址淪ometimes she looks out the window and shakes her head,B次元官网网址� says Ostrander.