While some neighbors try to outdo each other in Christmas decorations, spreading yuletide cheer has been a unifying force on one Collierville street.
Houses on Six Crowns Street have created an illuminated experience for all to enjoy. Their neighborhood in the King Crest subdivision has been transformed into a tunnel of lights. An estimated 4,000 feet of twinkling bulbs hover above cars as they pass by the homes.
Neighbors on the street decorate annually. The traditional decorations such as Nativity scenes, Santa Claus and reindeer are on lawns. One yard even has a sneak peek of Santa’s “naughty and nice” list.
But this year neighbors wanted to take it up a notch.
“It’s something we thought would be pretty cool but it’s probably better in person than any pictures can ever show,” resident Chad Evans said.
Evans and Clint Dunlap hung ghosts from the trees for Halloween, so naturally they started brainstorming ideas for Christmas.
“Clint came up and said ‘let’s do lights’ and it just grew,” Evans said.
Dunlap owns a tree business and a bucket truck. They strung the lights at night to ensure they captured the desired effect. It took about a week to go all the way down the street.
Nearly every resident – 22 houses in all – wanted to participate in the illuminated efforts. Some yards didn’t have trees, so the lights were connected to mailboxes or rooftops. A wooden cutout of the Grinch appears to be yanking down the lights on one lawn.
Four houses are providing all the electricity for the display, but some contribute to the cost when the bill arrives.
One of those houses belongs to West Collierville Middle School Principal Tyler Salyer.
“I’ve got two 7-year-old little girls. We always go visit other people’s lights,” Salyer said, adding that the goal is to create a positive experience for Collierville and the community.
Last year was the first time in his life he decorated outside for Christmas. But when neighbors told him of the plan, he was fully involved. However, he says it’s larger and grander than he envisioned.
“It’s been amazing. We’ve always been close with our neighbors,” Dunlap’s wife, Amy, said, adding that the tunnel teaming “has brought us even closer together.”
Read more at The Daily Memphian: https://dailymemphian.com/section/suburbs/article/25632/christmas-collierville