WATCH: An Alberta man has been lighting up the holidays for more than two decades, with a spectacular show that can be seen from high above. But the man behind it plans to give up the holiday tradition after this year. Reid Fiest has the story.
Alfred von Hollen has a love of all things Christmas, but it’s his passion for Christmas lights that makes him stand out.
For the last 23 years, the retired school teacher has lit up part of Rocky Mountain House, Alta.
“It just brings me joy and warms my heart,” said von Hollen of his Christmas light display, made up of more than 120,000 lights and 100 inflatable decorations.
This Christmas, however, will be the last year for the display that has attracted thousands of visitors over the years.
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The lights takes months to put up and work often starts during the summer, with searches for new additions across the continent and online.
Over the past 2 decades, von Hollen estimates he spent more than $15,000 in electricity costs alone.
He now purchases power from a neighbour.
“You couldn’t turn on a light in the house, you couldn’t run any appliances without blowing the big breaker,” he said.
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Fred Nash, mayor of Rocky Mountain House, said von Hollen’s work and service have made the holidays for many people in the central Alberta community.
“Can you imagine the amount of work it is to set these up and take them down every year,” said Nash.
“And Alfred does that with a smile on his face.”
von Hollen said it is too physically demanding to continue with the display, but he will be sad to see the lights go out for good at the end of this season.
“I try not to dwell on it, because what I’m doing is blanking that out until Dec. 28 when I shut it off for the last time,” he said.
“That’s maybe when it will hit.”
The lights are on nightly in Rocky Mountain House, Alta. at 5725 57 Street Close.
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