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Clark Griswold is coming back — to Smithtown.
Jason Orsini — the 41 Sheryl Crescent homeowner who went viral last year for transforming his house and front yard into a full-blown “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” tribute — is promising an even bigger spectacle for 2025.
“We’re at it again this year except I’m adding in two historic decorations,” Orsini told Greater Long Island on Tuesday. “America’s largest custom inflatables of Cousin Eddie and Clark Griswold.”
Orsini’s display at 41 Sheryl Crescent became one of Long Island’s most talked-about holiday stops last season, drawing hundreds of visitors and eventually landing the family on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and ABC News.
Last year, Orsini told GLI that “Christmas Vacation” had “always been a staple” in his home — and that his goal was to turn the family’s home into a living tribute to the 1989 Chevy Chase classic.
“I wanted to bring a little of that movie magic to our neighbors,” he said.
Hard to imagine Orsini going bigger
Check out below to see what Orsini’s blowout display looked like last year.
This year, he’s going bigger.
The 2025 setup features 25,000 lights, movie prop recreations, a Clark-style roof display, and the new towering inflatables modeled after Chase’s iconic Clark Griswold and Randy Quaid’s unforgettable Cousin Eddie.
Orsini will again roam the block party dressed as Clark, carrying the movie-accurate Tasmanian devil coffee mug. It’s a detail visitors have come to count on.
To kick it all off, the Orsinis will host their third annual Griswold Family Experience — a free neighborhood block party and lighting ceremony set for Saturday, Nov. 29, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Rain date: Nov. 30).
Orsini says in his colorful event flyer that the celebration will feature a DJ, dance show, choir, food trucks, photo booth, fire pits and s’mores, a bounce house, petting zoo, costumed characters and photos with Santa.
Last year’s event drew an estimated 400 to 500 people, Orsini said.
Toy donations accepted
Visitors are asked to bring a new toy for Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, continuing the family’s tradition of pairing holiday fun with community giving.
“We wound up on GMA and ABC last year,” Orsini said. “And this year is going to be bigger and better.”
