What began as a modest display on Sandy Creek Road, featuring a cheerful “Ho Ho Ho,” a gingerbread house, and a few elves, has since blossomed into a beloved Fayette County tradition. For nearly four decades, the Gaddy family has transformed their home into a dazzling winter wonderland that draws visitors from near and far, spreading warmth and nostalgia throughout the holiday season.
Mike and Gwen Gaddy both grew up in homes illuminated by Christmas lights each holiday season. When they had children of their own, they decided to carry that tradition forward in their own special way, blending childhood memories with a shared love of celebration.
In 1987, the Gaddys placed their first light display along the roadside, as their house sat too far back to be seen by passing cars. The following year, they added another display, and then another. Thirty-eight years later, the driveway winding through their seven-acre property becomes a breathtaking light exposition each December. Today, the Gaddy Christmas Lights Extravaganza features at least 40 displays and more than 200,000 lights, celebrating what many call “the most wonderful time of the year.”
Families who once drove through as children now return with kids of their own, continuing a legacy of shared joy, laughter, and holiday spirit. The Gaddys always knew their light display had grown popular, but they didn’t realize the depth of its impact until a devastating day in August 2023.
Every year, the family begins setting up in August and doesn’t finish tearing down until mid-February. That summer, as all the displays were safely stored in their barn, a neighbor pulled into their driveway with alarming news: black smoke was billowing from the back of the property. Mike rushed outside to find the barn engulfed in flames. In moments, decades of decorations and many personal items were lost.
It was a heartbreaking experience, but one that revealed the extraordinary kindness of the community the Gaddys had brought together through their lights. When a woman they didn’t know offered to create a GoFundMe, Gwen politely declined, saying they didn’t need money, just supplies. Word spread quickly, and soon, neighbors and strangers alike showed up with wire, lights, replacement decorations, and heartfelt encouragement.
With the community’s help, the Gaddys rebuilt the displays, determined to keep the tradition alive. That December, the Gaddy Christmas Lights Extravaganza shone brighter than ever before — a symbol of resilience, faith, and unity that touched every visitor who came through.
Among the hundreds of displays, Gwen’s favorite remains the gingerbread house from the very beginning. The same dolls and wooden frame still stand, lovingly repainted and repaired through the years. For her, it represents not just the start of the display, but the enduring spirit of family, faith, and community that has carried it forward.
To see the gingerbread house and experience the magic for yourself, visit 898 Sandy Creek Road in Fayetteville from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Thanksgiving night through December 30. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning for another season of sparkle, the Gaddy family’s Christmas Lights Extravaganza promises a glowing reminder of what the holidays are all about: joy, generosity, and togetherness.
For nearly four decades, the Gaddy family has transformed their home into a dazzling winter wonderland...