By Trish Svoboda/Images courtesy Rustin Nanninga
A local farm near Morrowville is lighting up the season as it celebrates the 45th anniversary of its annual Christmas display. Nanninga’s Christmas Joyland Light Display, run by Rustin Nanninga, first began when he was a child in Barnes, Kansas, inspired by his Sunday school class at Barnes United Methodist Church, and a desire to have a decorated tree at home.
Nanninga said his Sunday school class would cut a live cedar tree and set it up in the church basement. He mentioned wanting a tree for his yard at home, so his folks helped him set one up. After admiring a neighbors’ plastic noel candles and lights, his mom bought a set when Walmart opened in Marysville.
“We used those for one year in Barnes with the tree and some lights around the window. Then in the summer of 1980 we moved up here to the farm, Southwest to Morrowville, and I had those two plastic noel candles and a string of lights, and it continued from there.”
Over the years, Nanninga said he got inspiration from other displays and continued brainstorming ideas and adding more each year. The display grew, featuring thousands of lights, Christmas storybook characters, and animated displays. “We had probably 30 to 35,000 lights at the peak,” he said.
While the display scaled back after 2004, Nanninga said after experiencing cold and snowy weather this year it must have put him in the Christmas spirit and he began digging out old decorations that hadn’t been displayed in decades. Realizing this year is the light displays 45th anniversary, he decided to add a bit more than he has in recent years.
This season, Nanninga was on his own to decorate, but in the past his family would help as early as October to make sure the extensive display was up and running by the holidays for visitors to enjoy. The decorations cover the home, outbuildings, and yard, with some animated displays powered by special motors. Nanninga said he continues to add small touches daily.
“It’s too much for just me to enjoy,” said Nanninga, “So everybody might as well come and take in the sight of Christmas.”
Visitors can view the display nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m., and may even catch Christmas music playing some evenings. The farm is located near the 15-US 36 Junction south of Morrowville. Visitors turn west on Highway 36, then south on Indian Road for two miles, and finally west on 15th Road for three-quarters of a mile to reach the display. The display will run through January 1.
