WACO, Texas (KWTX/Gray News) – A Texas couple has been pulling out all the stops for their Christmas lights display for 22 years, but they say this year will be their last.
“We’re going to call it a year after this,” Roger Schmidt said. “It’s been a wonderful run. The most satisfying thing is the joy it brings people.”
Roger and Lana Schmidt started the tradition more than two decades ago with a simple Merry Christmas sign.
“I always wanted a Christmas display,” Roger Schmidt said. “Every year we would look at Christmas lights after church. So, I said, ‘If I ever got the time and the money, I was going to have a Christmas display.’”
Over the past two decades, the display has grown to include a massive maze of themed sections and thousands of lights.
“There’s a lot to walk through and see,” Roger Schmidt said. “One of the ladies said it took her about an hour to see everything.”
There is a blue light-themed section, a Christmas dinosaur section, a swamp section and much more to walk through in the front yard.
The couple said setup takes about four months every year, starting in the hot Texas summer months.
The Christmas display was even featured on ABC’s “The Great Light Fight” when they took home the top prize in 2018.
“When it all came together, we invited all of our friends to come and be a part of it,” Lana Schmidt said. “It gave us exposure, let everybody who didn’t know about us finally learn about us, and it brought more people to us which was nice.”
The display has become a tradition for the couple and for many Texans over the past two decades. Lana Schmidt said people who grew up coming to see the display now bring their kids.
Every Christmas Eve, the couple sits on the porch with loved ones and hands out candy canes. Santa usually makes an appearance as well.
“It’s really neat to see what it’s become,” Lana Schmidt said. “It isn’t just a light display. It’s the community coming together to just enjoy the holidays.”
However, Roger Schmidt was diagnosed with cancer in 2023, and it has taken a toll on being able to work on the display. So, the couple has decided the Christmas season of 2024 would be the last of their lights.
“We’d probably still do it, except, unfortunately, I caught cancer last year and spent most of ’23 in chemotherapy,” he said. “It has knocked out the number one elf from working.”
Despite fighting cancer, Roger Schmidt has spent days working on the display this year, making sure it was ready for Thanksgiving night.
“We enjoyed it,” he said. “Don’t misunderstand. It is a lot of work, but it’s enjoyable. We enjoy creating it. I love hanging the lights, and, of course, seeing the faces.”
They welcome all to come and enjoy their last season.
“If you’ve missed it, if you haven’t seen it, please bring your family, your kids. Come out and catch the last season,” Lana Schmidt said.
Roger Schmidt added, “It’s very bittersweet that we have to quit, but, physically, I can’t do it anymore. Unfortunately, age catches up to all of us.”
The Schmidt’s said they hope to pass along their decorations, lights and blow-up characters to another home to continue the tradition. There will also be a donation box to collect donations for Fuzzy Friends Rescue.
The Schmidt house is located off Highway 84 near the McGregor Airport at 20 Oak Creek Circle.
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