Light show features 41-foot lighted walk-through

By Tucker Henderson

Reporter

Though the extended hours of darkness during the winter season isn’t always a benefit, Mike Schmidt of Mike’s Lock & Key Service of Butler, Minn., is making the most of the early evening darkness with his computer controlled light display. He has been hosting a Christmas light show like this one for about 18 years and continues to make the season bright for local passersby on County Highway 62 north of New York Mills.

“I used to travel the United States shooting fireworks shows and programming fireworks and programming Christmas lights are very similar,” said Schmidt. “Essentially, you tell the computer to fire a shell or to turn a light on or off. I’m a busy person and it just worked out, so I took it to a different level.”

The process has taken the past two months to set up the display this year and has a significant change that makes the experience even more for local visitors. This year’s light show includes lighted tunnels, as well as a 41-foot lighted walk-through Christmas tree with over 2,500 lights sparkling each evening. Schmidt said that the idea came from watching a television show where they were displaying Christmas lights.

“I thought of the concept of the walk-through Christmas tree after I saw an episode where one of the hosts asked if they could go into the display,” said Schmidt. “The guy separated the lights and they went in and of course, they looked up. I told my wife that night, I can make a walk-through Christmas tree. I’ve never seen one before, I’ve never heard of one and this is exactly what I like to do”

Schmidt said that last year he set the 41-foot Christmas tree up with only three strings of lights attached, just to see if it would work and to get approval from the Lake Region Electric Company as it sits near the highway’s right-of-way and the power lines.

“I wanted to get the OK from Lake Region Electric because of the proximity that it is to the power lines,” he said. “I wanted to make sure they would be okay with it to show them how I have it erected and tied down. They did come out and said it was just fine, so I was excited to put it up this year.

“I even impressed myself when we lit it up the first time,” he continued. “It’s pretty cool to walk into that tree and then look up. I hope that families can come out and experience something that you just can’t see everyday. It’s fun—the musical is still rolling, I put speakers out this year so as you walk through, you can hear the music go. You can always pull up and tune into the radio that’s listed there and listen to it as well”

The light display takes up much of Schmidt’s life in November and December, but its preparation and additions take place throughout the year as he attends different Christmas shows and enjoys watching the “Great American Light Fight,” a television show he watches with his wife.

“I’ve picked up some things over the years through those,” he said. “For example, the giant sleigh and reindeer, I saw that at one of the shows. The guy that made that was down in Texas and I contacted him and he shared with me how I could go about making my own. That sleigh and reindeer requires 15 sheets of plywood.”

While Schmidt admitted he is not good at asking for help with this project, he is always open to volunteers who are open to helping plow the field parking and to help with tear-down at the end of the season. He is hoping that the weather cooperates this year and the snow will be minimal in December to help keep the parking lot open and the walk-through portion open to the public.

“Come on out when it’s lit up,” he said. “It’s really quite astonishing. My favorite part is the many times through the year I run into people and they will share, ‘Aren’t you the guy that sets up the Christmas light display?’ So that’s always a treat when I can ask them what their favorite part is. Families can come out and take a peek and have a memory that they will not soon forget.”

The display will be open from Sunday, Dec. 1 through Sunday, Dec. 29 from 5-9 p.m. when weather is permitting. Visitors are encouraged to park in the field next to the display and enjoy the walk-through portion, or to sit on the edge of the highway and tune into the radio station, and enjoy the lights and music from the comfort of their car.