Santa and his helpers decorate neighbors’ homes

Residents in need of a little holiday cheer will be well served to drive down Birch Street this Christmas season.

There, they will be treated to thousands of lights, decorated lawn ornaments and even a Santa who hands out candy canes to passing children.

Neighbors Billy Fahrig and Danny Treadaway have taken home lighting to the extreme, all in the name of spreading cheer. But the two don’t just decorate their own homes, they have also helped string lights on neighbors’ homes to give the street a unique Christmas flare.

“We have been decorating our homes for a while and every year we add more and more,” Fahrig said. “Now, it’s getting to the point where our homes look like the one in ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.’”

In that movie, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) puts so many lights on his home that he blinds his neighbors and causes blackouts in his city when he flips them on.

Fahrig said that planning for the holidays is a year-long process for him and Treadaway. The two add a little bit more to their homes each year and spend a solid week putting everything up.

“Danny takes a week vacation every year just to get ready for Christmas,” Fahrig said. “He also builds some of his own lawn ornaments and I’m always thinking of new things to add to my home.

“It can get expensive and the whole thing is pretty labor intensive.”

Fahrig said that he and Treadaway also put up lights at the adjoining homes just to spread a little holiday cheer.

“It’s fun and it really adds to our street,” he said.
Last year, Fahrig purchased a Santa suit and dressed up before Christmas so that he could wave and talk to passing families. This year, either he or Treadaway plan on being outside every Sunday night from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. until Christmas.

“I would do it every time, but that beard is pretty itchy,” he said with a laugh. “But, Santa may also make some sporadic visits on other times besides Sunday night.”

While outside, Santa will be handing out candy canes and will also pose for pictures with anyone who brings their own camera.

“It’s something you have to have a passion for because it is a year-round thing,” Fahrig said. “But we do this for the kids. We just want to make them happy during the holidays.”

Santa can be found this holiday season at either 131or 137 Birch St.