Driving through town looking at houses adorned with twinkling lights is a holiday tradition for many families. Residents throughout Northwest Georgia have outdone themselves this year decorating their homes for Christmas.

One local man has spent the past three and a half months preparing his holiday display. Perry Nettles of Rock­mart has assembled a drive-through holiday wonderland on his five-acre property on Cedartown Highway.

Nettles said he put in 200 hours between Labor Day and Thanksgiving to assemble his display, which consists of more than 100,000 lights.

“It’s something that once you get started you want to continue doing,” he said. “I get hundreds of people every night.”

The Rome News-Tribune and affiliated papers in Northwest Georgia have assembled an online directory to the most dazzling displays of holiday cheer in the area. Click on the “Holiday Lights” button under “Online Extras” for an interactive map, descriptions of local displays and a photo gallery ... or click here.

What do you think of holiday lights this year? Do you know about any impressive displays in your area?