Likely one of the longest running displays in Northeast Ohio, the Wachtel Family has been spreading Christmas joy for nearly 60 years. The display is located at Spring Walk Farms in Holmes County and has grown bigger and better each year.
We had an opportunity to ask Beverly Watchel, one of the creators a few questions. Enjoy!
All About Wachtel’s Christmas Light Display
For 2013, the drive-through display contains more than 52,000 lights, 90 spots light & 400 different figures. Everyone is invited to take a leisurely drive through the farm while enjoying the beautiful display.
The display is lighted from 5pm to 11pm nightly starting Thanksgiving night through New Years Eve.
The display features nursery rhymes figures, cartoon characters and many animated objects. New this year is a blow up of grandma getting run over by a reindeer and a snow globe.
In addition to all the festive holiday displays, there are many sections with biblical themes that beautifully depict the Christmas Story and the true meaning of Christmas.
As you can imagine a display of this magnitude takes a long time to set up. Throughout the month of November there are typically 2 or 3 family members working on the display in between doing chores on the farm. The Watchel's also have a special family day each year, where around 20 people come to help set up. What a wonderful family tradition!
Wachtel’s Christmas Light Display
Where: 13079 Township Rd 503 Big Prairie, OH 44611
When: The display is lighted from 5pm to 11pm nightly starting Thanksgiving night through New Years Eve.
Facebook Page: Like them on facebook to get updates about the display.
Have you ever seen the display? If so, leave a comment below and let us know what your favorite part is.
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It’s the best place you could take your kids family or friends it’s so loving see everything and it’s amazing people take there time to make other people happy
We only lived several miles from the Wachtel’s when I was a kid. Every year and several times each year we would drive through to see the display. It was a family tradition and even though I’m almost 48 years old, my husband and I still enjoy the drive back to Nashville every year to enjoy the display again. Thank you for all your hard work all these years!
We went every year when we were kids and lived just up the road from the Wachtels on 39. I believe my Dad, Claude Sage, was friends with Floyd. I am sure my brothers, Tim and Pat, knew them too. Thank you for carrying on the family tradition. Sylvia Sage Langworthy, SanTanValley, az.
Awesome place to take the kids. Then go to Nashville to eat at Buckeye Deli great pizza an subs.
When does the display start?
Thanksgiving day til new year eve
Wachtel’s has been a part of Christmas for as long as I can remember. It is so special and I will never forget how proud my Dad was to share this tradition with my oldest son. He passed away before he could take my youngest son. But I always feel he is riding right along with us each year when we go. Thank you Wachtel family for keeping these traditions alive for so many people.
I have never been to the Wachtel’s farm or their wonderful Christmas drive-thru, but have heard about it for many, many years. It is so refreshing to see a private family tradition carried on like this. It would be neat to hear the story of its beginning. The Wachtels are absolutely the salt-of-the-earth good folks and deserve much credit for their annual efforts to make this time of year so special for everyone else.
Haven’t been for several years. Need to take a road trip again and see it. They are nice people.
Always enjoy seeing this display since I painted many of them in the 60’s and 70’s. Holding up pretty well. Sherry Jefferies Taggart Stillion.
I used to live about 3 miles from them Floyd Wachtel was my school bus driver! Need to get back there and take the kids through it.
Going to Wachtel’s is a family tradition! The kids may grow up, but everyone still enjoys visiting! Can’t imagine not having their lovely display to admire every year!
Very traditional and worth the drive. A must see for anyone in the area!