FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio — One Northeast Ohio community is joining forces for a mega dose of Christmas cheer.
What You Need To Know
- More than 1,200 houses participate in Fairview Park Holiday Lights
- It started on Seabury Ave. and is spreading through the city
- The light show is also a non-profit, collecting donations for Fairview Park Hunger Center
Hundreds of homes in Fairview Park are decked in holiday style with outdoor light displays.
It started with Bill McVicker’s home about 10 years ago and eventually spread to all of Seabury Ave., with other houses in town joining in.
“There are 1,200 plus houses with the sidewalk lights all around town,” McVicker said. He’s the self-proclaimed CEO or “Chief Elf Officer” of Fairview Park Holiday Lights.
But, his home has a lot more than just lights. Handmade mechanized holiday decorations, like a working carousel kids can ride and a teeter-totter with elf figures that goes up and down, adorn his lawn.
He says the handiwork is an homage to his grandfather, who made an annual “Christmas project” from 1953 to 1985, when McVicker took over the tradition due to his grandfather’s failing eyesight.
“The very first year was a snowman, just a simple bust of a snowman,” McVicker said, describing his first project. “I just got out of college, I had no money, but this family tradition had to keep going. It was a simple snowman and he just went side to side.”
And things kept snowballing from there.
In addition to the decorations, McVicker and his wife Diane also set up an “Elf Tent” and offer free hot cocoa to passers-by.
“Last year we did a little over 4,000 cups,” he said.
With each year, more neighbors added decorations to their own homes, making Seabury Ave. a destination in December.
“Thousands of cars,” McVicker said. “Thousands of cars on a weekend.”
But on a nice night, people park and stroll the sidewalks. The multicolored illuminated arches in front of McVicker’s home are a popular place for photos.
Sisters Rene and Suzan Hernandez said they like to stop by when they’re home for the holidays.
“Every year it gets bigger and bigger,” Rene said. “It’s awesome. It’s just really wonderful.”
McVicker said seeing people light up with those reactions is why he does this.
“It’s just the joy, you know?” McVicker said. “The happiness that it brings. It sounds sappy, but it is.”
He said the Fairview Park Holiday Lights is an official non-profit. The group collects donations to cover the cost of cocoa, with the remainder donated to the Fairview Park Hunger Center. They’ve donated more than $10,000 over the last five years.
