CRESTVIEW — Behold Christmas’ wonders, unfolded for all to enjoy on the Nichols family’s Peggy Drive lawn.
A festive locomotive, nativity scene, penguin family and a hot air balloon soaring overhead glow in the winter night.
And what holiday display would be complete without a flashing UFO and a dragon?
Grady Nichols said he and his wife, Lisa, began organizing what would evolve into their Christmas extravaganza at Halloween — hence the dragon and flying saucer. Likewise, the driveway’s lighted archways go from Halloween colors to Christmassy reds and greens.
“We do over the dragon and UFO,” he said. “It’s a little weird. We look out and see people taking pictures by the dragon.”
As Christmas approaches, the Nicholses begin placing other elements around their front and side lawns about two weeks before it’s time to switch everything on, Grady said.
“It goes all the way around,” he said, sweeping his arm down the side yard.
The dragon, with its wings spread wide, stands well over 6 feet tall.
“He’s an old putt-putt (miniature golf) dragon,” Grady Nichols said. “A guy bought him at a yard sale and offered it to us. We had to fix him up a lot. He’s got five different colors of spray paint on him.”
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT: Dragon, UFO join locomotive and nativity scene in lawn display