The Great Christmas Light Fight Season 8 Episode 1
On December 9, 2020, ABC channel aired the second episode of the eighth season of The Great Christmas Light Fight, attracting a massive 4.02 million viewers. The episode showcased awe-inspiring holiday displays from Jenks, OK, Boise, ID, Fontana, CA, and Brownsville, TN. One of the highlighted displays was Kringle’s Christmas Land created by Ben Sumner in Jenks, Oklahoma. The DeBolt family’s enchanting holiday decorations in Boise, Idaho, were also featured on the show. Furthermore, the host visited the Stott family Christmas lights in Fontana, California. Finally, the Markowski family exhibited their over-the-top display in Brownsville, Tennessee.
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Kringle’s Christmas Land is a must-see holiday destination located in Jenks, Oklahoma, created by Ben Sumner since he was only 6 years old. His vintage mechanical Christmas displays from New York City are the highlight of the show. From December 1st to December 31st, visitors can enjoy Sumner’s stunning display of rare, hand-painted, original characters in his Jenks home for free. Guests can marvel at Santa and his workshop, Mrs. Claus, and the Reindeer Barn among other animated characters. Sumner’s collection of vintage animated characters is what sets his display apart, with 500 in total, stored off-site. Sumner is a fourth-generation Christmas enthusiast and undoubtedly the mastermind behind the impressive display. Visitors will be dazzled by the multitude of lights and a 17-foot Christmas tree, complete with a handmade topper. The exact number of lights is unknown, such is their quantity. Don’t miss the chance to witness a magical experience at Kringle’s Christmas Land, located at 12520 South Date Place in Jenks, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., nightly until December 31st.
The DeBolts of Boise, ID put on an awe-inspiring Christmas light show each year that draws visitors from all over the Treasure Valley. What makes it even more remarkable is that the mastermind behind the intricate choreography is colorblind. Roger, who has a rare form of Lymphoma, had a bone marrow transplant in 2019 and has been receiving Chemotherapy maintenance treatment ever since. During his recovery, his wife Sally reached out to a group of Christmas light enthusiasts online and informed them about Roger’s condition. In an outpouring of support, members of the group donated to a GoFundMe campaign to help the DeBolts with their bills.
Moved by the generosity, Ron Howard and Steve Ripaldi from California, Eric Schulz from Texas, Peter Senarighi from Minnesota, and Lorne Counter and Kevin Thomas from Washington all traveled to Boise at their own expense. Local volunteers Fred Mccarn, Chris Schmierer, and Anthony Milward also joined in to help set up the lights. The DeBolt Christmas light show raises money for Make-A-Wish of Idaho, which grants wishes to children with critical illnesses.
The half-hour show, which starts each night at 5:30 p.m., features around four or five Christmas songs with uniquely synchronized light sequences. The display includes a massive metal Christmas tree, a 6-foot-tall dancing snowman, a realistic Santa Claus in the front window, and three cheeky animatronic elves that pop up from gift boxes between songs to tell holiday-themed jokes. Visitors listen to the songs on a radio station the DeBolts broadcast to, using a low-frequency transmitter inside their home.
The DeBolts spend countless hours programming the display, as well as several weeks setting up lights and props, which typically begins in September. The display features 60,000 RGB light nodes and costs a considerable amount to maintain, including the necessary rewiring of their home to handle the load. Despite the expense, the power bill only increases by around $100 in December.
For over two decades, the Stott family of Fontana, CA has been bringing joy to their community with their stunning Christmas light display. This heartwarming tradition has become a beloved favorite of hundreds of local families who visit the winter wonderland on the corner of Locust and San Bernardino Avenues each year.
Visitors of all ages marvel at the spectacular custom Ferris wheel, train, castle, and Nativity scene. There’s even the added enchantment of snow and a special place to write and mail letters to Santa.
The Stotts and their three sons, who now have their own families, eagerly anticipate the holiday season and begin planning and building their intricate display in October. Finally, on Thanksgiving night, the lights are officially turned on, and the magic of the season comes to life.
In the Brownsville, Tennessee area, the holiday season wouldn’t be complete without a search for the best Christmas lights, and one man has taken it upon himself to go above and beyond. David Markowski, a resident of Brownsville, has created a breathtaking light display that has grown bigger and better every year, utilizing hundreds of thousands of lights on over 5 acres of land.
Markowski’s love for Christmas lights started when he was a child, and has now become a full-blown passion project that involves his entire family. Starting as early as Labor Day, Markowski begins building the light display, with a goal of having it ready in time for Thanksgiving. Each year the display grows and evolves, with new ideas added to keep things fresh.
One of the most unique aspects of Markowski’s display is his inclusion of children’s ideas. Each year, the Markowski family collects Christmas-themed drawings from kids, selecting four to turn into life-sized light replicas that are added to the display. The whole family participates in the set-up process, with Lory Markowski helping with light installation and Dylan tackling the taller displays.
In 2020, Markowski built a 26-foot tall Christmas tree made entirely of lights that visitors could even drive through. The entire display is comprised of over 750,000 lights that are sure to dazzle and delight visitors during the holiday season.
Taniya Nayak is a renowned interior designer, TV personality and entrepreneur who is known for her inspiring designs and unique sense of style. She was born and raised in India and moved to Boston when she was just a teenager to pursue her passion for interior design. Nayak’s career began when she landed a job as a visual merchandiser for a renowned retail brand.
After working in retail for several years, Nayak transitioned to interior design and started her own company, Taniya Nayak Design LLC. Her unique style and creativity soon caught the attention of HGTV, where she became a regular on the network’s shows such as Designed to Sell, House Hunters on Vacation and Restaurant Impossible.
Nayak’s impressive portfolio includes cutting-edge designs for various commercial and residential spaces across the United States. She has also been recognized for her talent and has received numerous accolades, including Best of Boston Home from Boston Magazine, and induction into the New England Design Hall of Fame. In addition, she has been featured in various publications and media outlets, such as The Oprah Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and People.
Nayak’s passion for design has also led her to become an entrepreneur. She is the founder of Taniya Nayak Home, a product line that includes an array of home décor and furniture. She has also become a sought-after speaker and speaks at various design conferences across the country.
Carter Oosterhouse is an accomplished television personality, author, and skilled carpenter. Born and raised in Michigan, Oosterhouse attended Central Michigan University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Communication.
After college, Oosterhouse moved to Los Angeles to pursue his passion for carpentry and quickly landed a job in the entertainment industry as a job site runner. His skills and talent with wood soon caught the attention of producers, and he was offered his first show, “Trading Spaces” on TLC. This was the start of a long and successful career in television, which included shows such as “Carter Can,” “Red Hot & Green,” “Million Dollar Rooms,” and “Rowhouse Showdown.”
In addition to his work on television, Oosterhouse is also an accomplished author. He has written two books, “Carter Oosterhouse’s The Unexpected Houseplant: 220 Extraordinary Choices for Every Spot in Your Home” and “Carter Oosterhouse’s The Great Indoors.”
Oosterhouse is also a philanthropist and an advocate for sustainable living. He has worked with organizations such as Rebuilding Together, This Old House, and Habitat for Humanity. His passion for eco-friendly living led to the creation of his sustainable furniture line, Carter Oosterhouse Collection. The collection features furniture made from reclaimed materials and focuses on sustainable manufacturing practices.
With a successful career in television, a thriving furniture line, and a passion for sustainable living, Oosterhouse remains a positive influence on the industry, inspiring others to live a beautiful and sustainable life.
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