HOLIDAY INFLATION MORE VALLEY FAMILIES ARE SCRAPPING TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN FAVOR OF BLOW-UP EXTRAVAGANZAS CANDY CANE LANE DECORATIONS A WANING TRADITION.

Byline: RICK COCA Staff Writer

WOODLAND HILLS - Store-bought inflatables are replacing carefully strung twinkle lights and handmade cutouts on the front lawns of Candy Cane Lane, a landmark neighborhood where extravagant holiday displays have delighted generations of passers-by.

Yet even with the ease of ready-made decorations, there are fewer homeowners participating -- not as many animated Santas and cartoon-character cutouts, nativity scenes and oversize menorahs.

``Our street was called the Avenue of the Bells and when we first moved here, every house on the street had a red bell and it all looked great and everybody cooperated,'' recalled Ken Buttke, 78, who's lived with his wife, Geri, on Jumilla Avenue since 1961.

``Jewish people ... they would decorate with blue lights. Those people have died and moved. The houses have turned over. A lot of that stuff has disappeared.''

A retired mechanical engineer, Buttke designed and built a display that depicts two monks ringing a bell -- a contraption he faithfully brings out every year, just after Thanksgiving.

It took 16-year resident Rosemarie Rush and three friends three days to put up her elaborate lawn display, which features rows of lights and no fewer than 12 inflatable decorations, including an ``Easy Rider''-cool Santa wearing shades and riding a motorcycle. Her husband, Bill Rush, said she wouldn't have it any other way.

``My wife decided to move here when she found out this was Candy Cane Lane,'' he said.

It's that kind of dedication and creativity that has made Candy Cane Lane an annual tradition for thousands of families. Every night from mid- to late December, a bumper-to-bumper line of cars creeps through the west San Fernando Valley neighborhood, headlights dimmed, so those inside can better see the displays.

Although they're relative newcomers to Candy Cane Lane, Ron and Minnie Scott have embraced the tradition, with twinkle lights decorating their front yard and rooftop and Christmas music blaring from a speaker tucked inside the mailbox.

``This is the most wonderful time of year to me,'' said Ron Scott, 64, who prides himself on creating an original design every Christmas.

He has noticed a drop-off in the number of decorated homes since he moved to the area in 2001 and vowed he'll try to do something about it next year.

``I'm going to consider challenging myself to be responsible to resurrect the decorating spirit of Candy Cane Lane,'' he said.

Then there are those who have a decades-long connection to the neighborhood.

John Christenson, 34, lives in his childhood home on Oakdale Avenue with his fiancee, Jennifer Scott. Their lawn is a festive mix of inflatable plastic snowmen, snow globes and cartoon characters, along with the strings of oversize Christmas lights used by previous generations.

``We like to keep some of it old school,'' Christenson said.

Among those who've made their annual visit to Jumilla and Lubao avenues is Tara Lynch of West Hills, who brought along sons Dylan, 5, and Tyler, 3.

``I would say there are less lights and less people,'' Lynch said. ``Last year, people were selling hot cocoa and glow-in-the-dark necklaces and yo-yos. It was more of a block-party atmosphere.''

Still, Lynch said, the family is already planning to return next year.

``We'll keep coming back until there's no more lights because there's still something to see.''

rick.coca(at)dailynews.com

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CAPTION(S):

4 photos, map

Photo:

(1 -- color) Bill Rush stands in his Candy Cane Lane front yard, which took three days to put up and features at least 12 inflatable decorations.

(2) Daniel Mercado shows off the holiday decor in his brother's front yard on Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer

(3 -- color) Inflatable Christmas decorations adorn many of the front yards along Candy Cane Lane. However, residents say fewer homes feature lawn displays this year.

(4) This house on Oakdale Avenue is one of the many homes along Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills with inflatable decorations. The street is known for its festive finery.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

Map:

Candy Cane Lane

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