Today the road has brought me to Ponca, NE.
Unlike most of these articles, a bed and breakfast is not involved with this story. However, a very unique house is involved. I went to Ponca to visit the home of Gene Watchorn and Julie McDowell.
If the names sound familiar to you, it’s because they are the recent winners of “The Great Christmas Light Fight” televised on ABC for their incredibly festive lights and Christmas display. Their story made most of the newspapers and news outlets in Nebraska and when I read their story, I knew I had to visit their home for the Cavalcade of Christmas.
I was enjoying some unseasonably nice weather as I began my drive to the little town of Ponca. En route to Ponca, I passed through the town of Jackson where I decided to stop for church at St. Patrick’s.
Father had quite a good sermon as he talked about the gift of Jesus and how He wants to share everything He has with His people. It provided some very loaded food for thought as I left the small church and continued my drive to Ponca.
I was testing out a GPS system and now I don’t think I’ll ever go back to paper maps. This was so handy as the system told me where and when to turn right down to what lane I should be in. This was especially useful as Gene & Julie’s house is located on a large acreage out in the country.
If I had any doubts that I was on the right road, they were quickly dissipated when I found the large line of traffic waiting to reach the house. It just seemed to go on forever.
I turned into a field nearby the house and parked and just stared in amazement at the home and the line of people waiting to visit.
According to Julie, Gene started the tradition, originally for his children, about 20 years ago. Fifteen years ago, Gene and Julie let some students tour the house and then it was decided to open the doors to the public. Now thousands of people visit this monument to Christmas each year.
Gene loves Christmas and is dubbed a “Christmas hoarder” by Julie. He is also a one man operation for this Christmas wonderland. Gene does all of the designing and setting up. He begins the day after Labor Day and finishes the entire project about mid-November. From that point through the end of December, the couple holds open houses from 6pm-9pm each Fri-Sun. Private tours can also be arranged through Gene and Julie.
The Christmas house contains 100,000 Christmas lights, 90 inflatables, 19 Christmas trees, and 6,000-7,000 Christmas figurines and animations. Budget some time to really appreciate this house because it took me nearly 2.5 hours to get through the whole abode due to foot traffic and the sheer level of detail to observe.
Here are some scenes from outside the house:
This “tree” is made out of tires. 
Ah! Santa Snoopy. 
Always remember that Bumbles bounce. 
A Christmas tree of Snoopys.
The inside of the house is just as beautiful. Julie and Gene are warm, welcoming people. Julie greeted people at the front door while Gene mingled with the visitors. Helpers were also on hand to give out free candy canes to the visitors.
I do love old-fashioned Santas. 
Gene personally designs a Christmas village each year. 
I could have spent all night marveling at this cacophony of Christmas, but I did have to return home.
There’s still a little time to visit the house this season and I highly recommend making the visit if you’re able to do so. There’s nothing cheesy or kitschy about this Christmas house. It’s a reverent, awe-inspiring display from two people who love the holiday and whose generosity and hospitality truly exemplify the reason for the season. Visiting the house is free, but donations are cheerfully accepted.
For directions or a private tour, please call Gene or Julie at 402-755-2655.
Until the next time. . .happy travels.
Chris' Corner 