'Feels Amazing': Tinley Park Man Wins Great Chicago Light Fight, Town Repeats Title
TINLEY PARK, IL — Tinley Park’s Eric Schaaf has won ABC7’S Great Chicago Light Fight 2024, giving Tinley Park back-to-back wins.
Schaaf, 18, was crowned light fight champ early Thursday morning, and his win makes the fourth for Tinley Park. The Hirsch family won in 2023, the O’Connor family in 2021, and Kowalczyk family in 2019.
“I do this because I always love to see the smiles on everyone’s faces,” Schaaf said. “Many pieces are handmade by me, and they are one of a kind.
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“It feels amazing to win the Great Chicago Light Fight and be the fourth Tinley Park winner.”
Schaaf’s display at 7702 Hanover Dr. was up against two homes in Oswego, one in Lombard, and another in Dyer, Indiana. He says his setup offers a little bit of everything, and is entirely designed by the Andrew High School senior, himself. The Schaaf display features a life-size sleigh with Santa, as well as Jack Skellington available for photo ops. Don’t miss his handmade decorations, mechanical doll window display, walk-through arches, and lights dancing to music across the roof.
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Schaaf has also added new features, including an Alvin and the Chipmunks bench—which Tinley Park locals might recognize from the Benches on the Avenue display—five, life-size animatronic characters. Visitors will spot a life-size SpongeBob and Patrick, Snoopy with Woodstock, and even The Grinch.
And you can’t miss the 20-foot mega tree.
“While I’m setting up the display, my dad is always getting new things out for me and just making the whole process go faster,” he said.
Schaaf said his father, Mark Schaaf, was a huge help in getting this year’s display set, as Eric focused on his performance with Andrew High School’s bowling team. Schaaf has been decorating the home for the past five years, he said.
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