2013
Location: General Puller Highway
Lights: ~92,000
Forest Trees: 26
Control Device: 180 Computer Channels
Light Usage: 70% Incandescent, 30% LED
Amps Drawn: ~198
Breakers Thrown: 1 or 2...
Setup Time: 12 Days
In 2013, the display cracked the 90,000 light mark, and also brought in several new firsts in a completely redesigned display.
The first and most noticeable change was the layout of the animated show - The animated area was brought out into the middle of the field, and a walking path around it allowed viewers to circle the entire "show", while, being surrounded by the static lights behind them. Also, the Mega Tree was converted to LED color lights, saving a ton of power, and making it brighter than ever.
Roughly 28,000 lights, or over 30% of the display, was LED this year.
The 2013 display, seen from the roof. - Click for a full gallery
2014
Location: General Puller Highway
Lights: ~103,000
Forest Trees: 32
Control Device: 198 Computer Channels
Light Usage: 55% LED, 45% Incandescent
Amps Drawn: ~165
Breakers Thrown: Only a couple!
Setup Time: 20 Days
2014 was a huge transition year, and introduced some of the layout that has become the basis of the display's design, as well as some of the most familiar features. In addition, the display cracked the 100,000-bulb threshold for the first time!
The walking path concept from the year before was expanded back into the field, ending in a cul-de-sac in front of what has become one of the most popular feature's we've built - the Walk-In Tree! Built without a center pole, the kids and adults alike could go inside and experience what it's like to be inside a 20' tall tree of twinkling Christmas Lights! Another major staple for years to come, Fred Bear's Tree Lot, made it's debut along the cul-de-sac as well.
Aerial View of 2014 - Click for a full gallery
2015
Location: General Puller Highway
Lights: ~113,000
Forest Trees: 35
Control Device: 228 Computer Channels
Light Usage: 60% LED, 40% Incandescent
Amps Drawn: ~160
Breakers Thrown: It rained. A lot. Breakers tripped. A lot.
Setup Time: 16 Days
The 2015 display built on the previous year's walk-through layout, with a small extension off in the back to form "Snowman Street" - a cul-de-sac filled entirely with snowman characters.
The "big new addition" of the year was the converting the walk-in tree into an interactive, controllable walk-in tree! A control panel was added which allows you to push buttons to make the tree change colors, do spinning effects, and activate strobe lights hung high above!
Aerial View of 2015 - Click for a full gallery
2016
Location: General Puller Highway
Lights: ~127,000
Forest Trees: 42
Control Device: 228 Computer Channels
Light Usage: 74% LED, 26% Incandescent
Amps Drawn: ~170
Breakers Thrown: Very few!
Setup Time: 17 Days
While 2016 featured a similar layout to the 2015 design, the removal of old landscaping against the building provided significantly more space to build out the "forest" of lights.
The "big new feature" of the year was the 1,600 sqft LIGHT MAZE! With over 350 feet of walking path (that's more than a football field!), it was the an instant hit.
Aerial View of 2016 - Click for a full gallery
2017
Location: General Puller Highway
Lights: ~144,000
Forest Trees: 51
Control Device: 228 Computer Channels
Light Usage: 80% LED, 20% Incandescent
Amps Drawn: ~170
Breakers Thrown: Very few!
Setup Time: 25 Days
2017 was a further expansion of the walk-through design of the past 3 years, with the biggest change being the conversion of the snowman path from a cul-de-sac to a full loop. The Island of Misfit Toys scene was also added, and other smaller expansions of various scenes were the final additions to the 2017 display.
Aerial View of 2017 in the SNOW! - Click for a full gallery
2018
Location: General Puller Highway
Lights: ~152,000
Forest Trees: 53
Control Device: 228 Computer Channels
Light Usage: 83% LED, 17% Incandescent
Amps Drawn: ~175
Breakers Thrown: Very few!
Setup Time: 28 Days
2018 Expanded the back field behind the Walk In Tree once again, with the big addition this year of the first two houses of the Gingerbread Village!
Aerial View of 2018 - Click for a full gallery
2019
Location: General Puller Highway
Lights: ~159,000
Forest Trees: 60
Control Device: 228 Computer Channels
Light Usage: 85% LED, 15% Incandescent
Amps Drawn: ~175
Breakers Thrown: Next to none!
Setup Time: 32 Days
2019 was a modest expansion, with the biggest addition being a doubling of the Gingerbread Village. North Pole was also expanded significantly this year.
Aerial View of 2019 - Click for a full gallery
2020
Location: General Puller Highway
Lights: ~162,000
Forest Trees: 63
Control Device: 228 Computer Channels
Light Usage: 88% LED, 12% Incandescent
Amps Drawn: ~180
Breakers Thrown: There was a lot of rain. And a lot of tripped breakers.
Setup Time: 30 Days
Oh SANTA! 2020 was a crazy year, but we were able to host the display to provide one "normal" thing to do! The 2020 display was a modest expansion of the previous display, with a greatly expanded "North Pole" scene and numerous small additions throughout the display. The most popular addition, however, was the flying Santa & sleigh with a full set of 9 reindeer leading the way, peaking out at nearly 20' above the Gingerbread Village!
Aerial View of 2020 - You can see Santa flying in the background! - Click for a full gallery
2021
Location: General Puller Highway
Lights: ~160,000
Forest Trees: 67
Control Device: 228 Computer Control Channels
Light Usage: 90% LED, 10% Incandescent
Amps Drawn: ~180
Breakers Thrown: There was a lot of rain...
Setup Time: 32 Days
The most noticeable changes this year is a flip-flop of the back of the display, with the Maze being near the woods and the gingerbread village moving into the field. A herd of life-size reindeer were added as well, as well as a number of characters to all of the existing scenes.
Aerial View of 2021 - You can see Santa flying in the background! - Click for a full gallery
Click to take a look back at the evolution of the display
The Early Years (1996-2003)
It's Gotten Out Of Hand... (2013-Present)
The Move Into Town (2004-2012)
The display's humble beginnings trace back to a weekend in 1996. I was 12 years old.
"I thought it was a phase..." -My Dad
The Move Into Town (2004-2012)
It's Gotten Out Of Hand... (2013-Present)
The Move Into Town (2004-2012)
My family's house was in the woods, down a 1,500 foot driveway. I decided I really wanted people to see the lights, so the display moved to a vacant lot beside the family business.
It's Gotten Out Of Hand... (2013-Present)
It's Gotten Out Of Hand... (2013-Present)
It's Gotten Out Of Hand... (2013-Present)
What was once I drive-by display you watched from the road turned into a walk-through, immersive and interactive experience, starting in 2013.