Local Family Light Show Brings Holiday Cheer and Community Boost
The Carl family at 904 W. Lafayette Ave. has turned their front yard into a synchronized Christmas light show, drawing nightly visitors and spreading seasonal cheer across Morgan County. The display, running 5 to 10 p.m. daily, provides social and modest economic uplift to the neighborhood while showcasing a multigenerational family tradition.
Thousands of lights and the sounds of Christmas carols are drawing people to 904 W. Lafayette Ave. as a synchronized light show plays each evening. The Carl family converted a longtime tradition of holiday inflatables into a music driven display that runs from 5 to 10 p.m. daily, and residents are stopping by in cars and on foot to take it in.
The display is a family effort with roots in earlier generations. "I started decorating with my father," Bruce Carl said. "He would decorate his home when we lived out in the country. When he got to old, I took over and now, the last few years, my son Peyton has been doing a lot of the work." Peyton handled implementation this year while Bruce designed the layout, and Brittany Carl said the household began work weeks ago. "We pretty much started as soon as we took down our Halloween decorations," she said. "It takes a lot to get it done."
For neighbors and visitors the effect is part neighborhood spectacle and part communal gathering point. The front yard features a snowman, candy canes, deer, trees and a giant waving Santa Claus that change colors to the rhythm of the music. "I work at a gas station and I always have people coming up and asking when our lights will be up," Penny Carl said. "This was also a favorite thing we did for the kids when they were growing up. It makes me feel good too." Brittany Carl added that customers and passers by frequently stop. "We have cars stopping every night," she said. "We watch to see if it's packages, but then we realize it's someone else stopping to look at the lights. It makes us happy."
The show illustrates how small scale holiday attractions can generate local economic activity, from increased evening traffic near nearby businesses to modest boosts in foot traffic for convenience stores and restaurants. The effort also represents time and household spending invested in decorations and technology, part of a larger seasonal trend that supports retail and service sectors in December.
Visitors are asked to enjoy the display respectfully, park safely and avoid blocking driveways. If you have a display to share with the community, send a photo with your name, address and details to jjceditor@myjournalcourier.com.
