news-record.com

When I was a kid, my parents used to load us three children into the car on December weekend nights and we’d drive around looking at Christmas lights. While Daddy drove, Mama would lead us all in singing Christmas carols. 

The fact that none of us could carry a tune didn’t slow us down a bit. 

We’d spend entire evenings excitedly pointing out twinkling houses, rooftop sleighs and glowing snowmen. In all that riding around, I don’t remember a single house more decorated than that of James and Claudette Hampton at 715 Third Ave. in Reidsville. 

It seems there isn’t a square foot of their large property that isn’t covered with some type of decoration. From towering luminescent palm trees to a giant snow globe to a lighted, nearly life-size Nativity scene, the Hamptons have every aspect of Christmas decorating covered. 

A sleigh sits on their roof, and Santa himself is climbing the side of the house to reach it. Every bush is studded with sparkling gems of light. James Hampton puts it all up, nearly single-handedly. 

“If anybody helps me, I have to go behind them and fix things,” he says. It takes him 30 to 40 days each year to put up his exhibit. The placement of each strand of lights is important to him. 

“I have to plug it up, so it won’t knock off my breakers,” he says. Fortunately, it takes him only about a week each year to take the lights down. James says his electric bill doesn’t go up noticeably in December. 

James first lit his yard three years ago, but it has taken him longer to collect the elements of his display. 

He pointed out a fat drop cord snaking its way across the lawn to power a carousel with moving horses. “That drop cord there cost $90. I bet I’ve got $2,000 to $3,000 in drop cords alone.” 

James is battling lung cancer and, for that reason, did not put up his display last year. 

“People raised sand,” he says.

So many people told him they missed it that he made the effort to put it back out this year.

Some have suggested he put out a donation box, but he scoffs at the idea. “I’d have to spend all my time worrying about guarding the box,” he says. “I don’t charge anything.”

James does it for the neighborhood children.

“I hate to see kids in trouble. Around here, kids are walking the street all night. I told them the first time I put it out that, if they stole anything or tore anything up, I wouldn’t put it back up. I’m surprised but they hadn’t ever done either. Never touched a thing. Once in a while, they’ll call and tell me a light is burned out,” he says.

“People ride around and look at it,” he says. “Sometimes they’ll stop and knock on the door and tell me they like it. People drive all the way from Roanoke to see it.” 

Every year James varies his design. 

“If I was to keep it the same, there wouldn’t be any need for you to come by next year,” he says with a grin. “It doesn’t cost anything to ride and look.”

Joni Carter lives in the Bethany community. Contact her at writetojonicarter@gmail.com