Every year, Doug Ruel turns his five-acre section of land near Leduc, Alta., into a winter wonderland for tens of thousands of people to walk through.
But 2015 was almost his last.
“People were going out of bounds,” Ruel told the CBC’s Radio Active Thursday. “Just abusing some of the stuff.”
Ruel said there have been much smaller issues in the past, but last year was the worst he had seen. People were swinging off lights and touching ornaments.
He even had to kick one group of people out.
But in true holiday spirit, Ruel and his winter display have returned — and each year it’s growing. “It’s the smiles you see on people, bringing their kids out,” he said. “It’s hard not to do it.”
‘It’s just expanded, eh?’
Ruel said his display ornaments and lights fill nine sea cans — and each year, he’s adding to his collection.
“It’s just expanded, eh?” he said. “We try to add to it every year.”
Ruel estimates it costs him around $14,000 to run the whole thing. Because he does not want to commercialize his lights display, he has to rely largely on donations and volunteer work. “I’ve been pretty fortunate — I’ve had some people step up to the plate and say ‘You know, we will help you out with the cost of the candy and the toys,'” he said.
“It can be tough sometimes, but you work it out.”
The Leduc Country Lights in 2015. Doug Ruel said the display would not be possible if it weren’t for all the volunteers who help annually. (Kevin Lloyd/YouTube)
With nine large shipping containers of decorations, it’s clearly not a job for one person.
Ruel said he often has Leduc’s hockey teams come out and help set up some of the decorations. He also has volunteers for various holiday characters, including Olaf and the Grinch.
Even Santa Claus makes the occasional appearance.
Most important rule: have fun
With last year’s issues of people abusing some of the decorations, Ruel has created a simple list of rules he hopes everyone will follow:
- Do not touch the ornaments
- Do not go out of bounds
- Do not touch any of the equipment
- Do not abuse the Christmas characters
But these rules don’t take away from Ruel’s most important message.
“The most important one is have fun,” he said.
The display will be open everyday until Jan. 1, with the exception of Christmas Day.
More information on how to get there and when Santa Claus will be there is available on their website.
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