Anyone traveling in the Pecan Blvd. area in Kosciusko is sure to think that the decorations at the Scott Wright residence are being entered in the television show, “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” The decorations are of that magnitude.
Glow from the myriad of lights can be seen from a distance and provides plenty of light for neigbors on that end of Pecan. Branches of a pecan tree in the yard are outlined with lights and leaveno doubt in one’s mind that what he termed a “man lift” has been in use to obtain the effect. A neighbor and a member of his congregation at First United Methodist Church told Wright that God planted that pecan tree for him to decorate.
“Actually a woman lift was used to put the lights high on the pecan tree,” said Wright. He admitted his fear of heights and asking his wife Denise to do the stringing of the lofty lights.
Before Thanksgiving, the holiday project began and progressed as his wife and daughters Kaelin and Ali Grace had holidays from teaching and school.
Wright said decorating has been a Christmas project in every parsonage in which the family has lived during his years of ministry. He admits an addiction to Christmas and decorating and believes it started with the C-9 stand lights he enjoyed at the home of his grandparents as a youngster.
Shopping days after Christmas finds him looking for half price sales and getting ideas for his extravaganza next year. These bargains fuel his desire to make next year better, he said.
He estimates that this year’s project contains approximately 450 feet of light strands with 1500 lights put in place with the use of the rented lift. There is a total of 16 trees including inflatables at locations in the courtyard, front windows, the TV room and areas of the yard.
As to cost of operating the display, Wright said he sees a “little increase” in the December electric bill. Because he uses LED bulbs, there is a savings.
Through the lighting Wright said they have accomplished their purpose in portraying Christ as the Light of the World.
Focal point is the manger scene above which hangs a large handcrafted star. A handcrafted cross on the roof is significant in telling the full story of Christmas.
When dark comes, the Wrights see cars to begin slowly driving by and they experience a sense of pleasure in seeing the enjoyment their decorations provide.
“We see children roll down car windows and lean out to get a better look. So many people tell us how much they enjoy the lights and we welcome visitors to enjoy our efforts,” Wright said.
Plans are to leave the decorations in place through Epihany Sunday which is Jan. 1. After that the lights will go off and the distmantling and storing will begin.
