CRESTVIEW — Stacie Prahl enjoys the Christmas lights display her stepfather, Mark Waggy, presents each year.
And she's not the only one.
"The whole month of December, you can find families in line around his block to slow down and get a view of his display," Prahl, a Holt resident, stated in an email.
ALL LIT UP
Most of Waggy's property on Monterrey Road lights up at night: from the vintage-style Santa and reindeer that appear to fly off his roof and lights on the lawn arranged in the shape of Christmas trees, to illuminated candy canes staked throughout the property.
Sometimes, he himself embodies the Christmas spirit.
Occasionally, "I'll (portray) Santa and give out candy canes and that sort of thing," the 52-year-old said. Next Monday from 6-8 p.m. he will be dressed as Santa for visitors. Two volunteers, a friend and a coworker will play elves that evening. In addition, a snow machine will add to the display for a couple of days.
THE HARDEST PART
Waggy said he has decorated his house for Christmas ever since he started living on his own.
And each year, it seems like the decorations become more and more grand.
He doesn't know exactly how many lights are involved — "There's thousands," he said. But Waggy spends $300 to $400 a year making sure he has enough for the looks he creates.
"I always say I'm going to start downsizing; it just never works," he said.
When asked what his wife, Nancy, thinks of his efforts, he said, "She likes it, but she always says, 'Why do you do so much every year?' When I'm done she really likes it, though."
The hardest part of decorating is putting up the display, Waggy said. "I use thousands and thousands and thousands of zip ties," he said.
Decorating takes about three weeks, which includes every day after work, "from like 6 to 8 or 9 o'clock at night," he said. He tries to start the weekend after Thanksgiving unless it rains or he otherwise is delayed.
This year, his sons, Matthew Waggy, 30, and Aaron Waggy, 24, both of Crestview, helped him with setup, which was completed Dec. 14. "Normally it's myself, but I'm getting older and slower," Waggy, 52, said. "They're kind of concerned when I'm up on the tree and the roof."
A KIND OF SANTA
Over the years, neighbors have come to expect Waggy's Christmas light display.
"Most of the time before I get started, my neighbors will stop me and ask me, 'When are you going to start?' They bring their grandkids and friends to see (the lights)."
The requests surprised Waggy at first, but now they make decorating an even more important part of the holiday season.
Waggy usually takes the display down the weekend after New Year's Day. But before then, Prahl said, he reminds her of a certain someone.
"He does this display every year for the pure joy it brings for all that see it," she said. "Some may even be reminded of Santa himself."
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Christmas light display and visit with Santa Claus
WHEN:6-8 p.m. Dec. 22
WHERE: 3053 Monterrey Road, Crestview
COST: Free
Email Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man spreads joy of Christmas with lights display