GREELEY, Colo. – A Greeley family that calls themselves the “Greeley Grizwalds” is going to be featured on next week’s episode of "The Great Christmas Light Fight," which airs on Denver7.
On Monday, there was a traffic jam outside Mike Medhurst’s home as eager families stopped, mesmerized by the light spectacle.
“It’s a very unique light display – nothing else like it around here,” said Raeann Breuer, who stopped by for a look.
From Santa and his workshop, to reindeer and a giant glowing Christmas tree, Medhurst and his 135,000 holiday lights capture the spirit of the season.
“I love Christmas,” Medhurst said. “It’s a time to fade out for a while and focus on the happiness and joy of families and the spirit of Christmas.”
Medhurst has been putting on the display for 16 years. He has won numerous awards and been featured on websites across the country.
His home includes synchronized lights that dance around the home to a playlist of holiday songs.
Medhurst started preparing this year’s display in October, and 300 hours later, he finally had the house ready. His wife tolerates the display, he says, but he refuses to discuss how much it costs.
“The electric bill is a little on the ‘spendy’ side, but it’s like every other Christmas gift you give – you budget for it and it’s OK. This is our gift to the community and that’s what we plan to spend every year,” Medhurst said.
Jeff Breuer brings his family to the Grizwald home every year.
“It’s a nice family tradition,” he said. “We’ve been coming out here for eight years now.”
Medhurst’s neighbors say there is no way they can keep up with his “Greeley Grizwald” display. His next-door neighbor put up one light that points toward Medhurst’s home and simply says, “Ditto.”
“It’s elaborate, I must say,” said another neighbor, Carl Winn. “It makes me feel like a total underachiever.”
But after another magical night for visitors, Medhurst says all of his hard work has been repaid many times over.
“The smile on their faces, how grateful they are,” he said, “that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”