NORFOLK, Va. — "Now, if I were you, I'd personally check each one." — Clark Griswold, Sr., Christmas Vacation

That's the quote that inspired this story.

But Clark was only working with 25,000 twinkle lights on one roof. The people getting Norfolk's skyline ready to light up for the holidays are responsible for 40,000 lights on dozens of buildings.

Saturday, the city's Grand Illumination event returns for its 39th year. The lights will be turned on as floats, bands and thousands of excited neighbors gather for the parade below.

Downtown Norfolk's cityscape lights up for the holidays every year as thousands attend the Grand Illumination Parade on the streets below.

For property owners, participation is mandatory, according to the event-organizing Downtown Norfolk Council. That means o

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