Local's Bedazzled Car Makes Rounds Again

More lights and more festive decoration. That's the motto for Colton resident Juan Gutierrez every holiday season as he decks out his 2007 Ford Expedition in Christmas lights. "This year I really ran out of space," Gutierrez said, laughing. "Every year I try to make it better." Gutierrez started decorating his car about four years ago and adds to it each Christmas. This year, the vehicle sported more than 2,000 bright, colorful lights, that number having grown from the approximately 1,800 that donned the car last year. Lights decorate the side mirrors, gas tank cover, along the door handles, in the center of each tire and decorating the chrome license plate cover. There’s even a string of lights underneath the car. The lights run off an electrical generator in the vehicle and are easily turned off and on. More lights were added to the car's front window, its hood, and its back window, said Gutierrez. Gutierrez said he's continued to decorate the vehicle through the years as his own personal way of sharing Christmas cheer. "When I was little, we didn't get a lot of toys being in a family of 12 brothers and sister," Gutierrez said. "So I wanted to do this not only for the kids but for everybody. I want to see the smiles on their faces.” He keeps the lights on through the holiday season - his hometown Colton is known for its festive celebration of the holidays, beginning with an annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and other festivities on Dec. 1, and including its annual Christmas Parade and Christmas in the Park event on the same Saturday morning in the middle of the month. "A lot of people like the car," said Gutierrez. He keeps it decorated until about the second week of January, taking the time to drive it around town. He said he's always being stopped. "I went to downtown Riverside this year, and you should have seen the looks on everybody's faces," said Gutierrez. "They loved it." Working six days a week as a mechanic in nearby San Bernardino made it a little more difficult to get the car decorated completely this year, but Gutierrez credits his daughters for their help in making it happen. "They helped me get it finished and I just love seeing people's smiles. That's why I do it. When you bring light, you're bringing hope."