Niwot's largest holiday light display ready to shine

If this time of year you're drawn to all that is twinkling and bright, the resplendent holiday light display at the top of the hill will soon be beckoning you.

For the 36th year in a row, Chuck Rodgers' heroic efforts installing one of the area's biggest private drive-through displays will be switched on for the season on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 5980 79th Street.

Over the years, Rodgers has not been daunted by broken and replaced bones, deep bruises, illnesses, and the array of forces nature has dreamt up while bringing the light show to life. Then there is the effort it takes to sustain all of the bulbs, cords, blow ups, and features for the 6 weeks the show is lit up, and the careful bit by bit uninstalling of every piece to put it to sleep in early January.

Rodgers spends several weeks setting up and another couple of weeks putting it all away because this is his gift to the community, and because, for the last seven years, the event has been raising money for the Longmont Meals on Wheels (LMOW) which is near and dear to his heart.

Amongst the thousands of lights, hundreds of inflatable and robotic figures, running reindeer, giant lit-up words, trees in multicolored regalia, and a chorus of Christmas songs, there are two boxes collecting monetary and shelf-stable food donations for LMOW. In addition to accepting cash, each box also has a QR code that visitors may use to donate electronically.

Last year donations came to $19,000 and more than 200 pounds of shelf-stable provisions for the nonprofit organization that provides meals to those who are unable to shop or prepare food on their own. Rodgers is aiming to once again top the prior year's sums.

Rodgers also participates in holiday parades in Niwot and Longmont to raise awareness for LMOW. To do that he has created a float with banners to give the community exposure to what the organization does and needs. Riding on the float are holiday bedecked animals, including a pig, cows, snowmen, and reindeer.

Every year, just to keep things interesting, Rodgers adds new elements to his yard. This year's newbies are a blow up abominable snowman, Santa in a trailer house, and the much needed dog companion for Cousin Eddie's Christmas Vacation display. A new laser light show will be flashing on the barn and a new projection screen will be installed somewhere in the yard.

There's also a logistical improvement - the driveway has been widened to alleviate the bottleneck near the house and will hopefully allow traffic to flow more steadily. There will be new signs and cones to instruct drivers how to proceed through the display.

Roll down the windows because the backdrop of traditional, silly, beautiful, and fanciful displays is accompanied by holiday music.

"Actually, my oldest display still works and I'm really happy," Rodgers said. "It has music and lights. Everyone says you should do a radio thing, but no,...I've got my old box, it works really well, and people don't have to find a radio station."

The joyful spectacle will be switched on from Sunday, Nov. 27, through Friday, January 6, beginning each evening at sundown (around 5 p.m.) until 9:30 p.m. Look for the brilliant display at 5980 79th Street between Highway 52 and Lookout Road.