by Christy Parrott It’s that time of year again, when families from all over the county load up and head over to 161 Spring Creek Drive (County Road 1016) to see the Heid’s Christmas light show. Last year, Bob Heid had explained to the Gazette that what had started as a friendly competition between neighbors has become a decades-long tradition: “I saw the Merry Christmas Sign my neighbor put up and thought, I could do better than that.”
Since 1992, Heid has awoke the morning after Halloween, stepped out into the chilly air, and begun work on his masterpiece, creating a winter wonderland in his front yard. The awe-inducing display includes a hand-built twenty foot Christmas tree, massive stars and rows of candy canes, each lit with over 48 feet of lights. What’s grown far beyond a single sign has turned into a phenomenal show with shimmering stars dancing to the keynotes of the Trans-Siberian orchestra, trees flashing along with the chorus, as Santa and his reindeer punctuating the music.
This past summer, Heid built a 20-foot tall snowman, and he’s added a new reindeer to Santa’s sleigh (for a total of three, which Heid insists are Comet, Blitzen and Rudolph). Additionally, Heid has switched entirely to LED lighting. “It’s more expensive,” he explains, “But they’re brighter and more efficient.” Heid has also added new songs, including Mavis Staple’s “Christmas Vacation” and plans to include a few more this winter.
Neighbor, Sara Johnson has shared, “We look forward to their lights every year.” Heid says, “I do it for the pleasure of the neighbors, my family and grandkids.” The Heid’s light show begins at 5pm, with Carpenters music playing on 98.5, and they dedicate the top of each hour from 6-9pm to their twenty three-minutepresentation. The show wraps up each night, promptly, at 10 pm, and will run through New Years. To put that much effort into something purely for the enjoyment of others is in keeping with the best of Grand County traditions, bound to put even the largest Grinch in the holiday spirit.
 to see the Heid’s Christmas light show.){kind=link}