DALTON, Ga. — “It’s a Christmas tree, oh my gosh!” my 3-year-old daughter Faith exclaimed as she ran toward a tree display almost as tall as her three-and-a-half foot frame. 

“Oh my gosh you have to take a picture of it!” she demanded.

It was a moment full of excitement and pureness. I had to capture it, so in the middle of recording a video, I snapped the picture of Faith as she smiled as bright as the Christmas tree in Don and Glenda Campbell’s yard. 

The Campbells of Rocky Face are one of three families in Whitfield County who for decades have turned their homes into a light display that even The Grinch would tip his hat to.

For Don Campbell, his light display for the past 20 years is something he does “for the kids.” 

But don’t let your hearts be troubled, the lights at the Brooker, Campbell and Pye homes are for the young and young at heart.

The Brooker House — 114 E. Broadacre Road

“A site to see.”

Nearly 40 years ago Jack Brooker bought a light set from Sears Roebuck to put in his yard for Christmas.

“I’ve been adding to every year since,” he said. 

Today, Brooker has more than a hundred displays in his yard that are open to to the public until New Year’s Eve, unless it rains. There are lights and displays depicting “The Nutcracker,” gingerbread house, Santa and his reindeers, Disney characters and snowmen.

Brooker has five children, 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. In honor of his grandchildren who are avid sports players, there are football, volleyball, baseball and basketball displays. This year Brooker added a batter, pitcher and outfield catcher light display.

Every night from 5 to 10 p.m the lights and displays are on for people to see. And on Sunday Dec. 17, Brooker and some of his family members will be there to greet visitors.

Brooker said “Santa” and “The Grinch” will pass out candy canes. There will also be a live manger scene. 

Brooker said he enjoys making memories with his family. His favorite memory as a child was going to his grandfather’s house.

“Grandpa had a tree with a fence around it and on Christmas Day the family would exchange gifts and he’d give us a candy cane,” Brooker said.

Since Thanksgiving Brooker said he’s had more than 4,000 cars drive check out the lights. He keeps track by a timer.

“I just like Christmas and lights and like to see the people coming through,” he said.

Brooker starts putting displays and lights out shorty after Labor Day and does a little bit at a time. He says it takes him two to three days to take down. 

Brooker uses mostly LED bulbs (a more energy efficient source). He said his power bills totals about $300 to run the lights. In earlier years, the cost was about $500 monthly.

“It doesn’t matter because I enjoy doing it,” he said of the light displays. 

Brooker said most nights he sits in his chair watching television and cars pass through.

“Kids are hanging out the windows and it’s a site to see,” he said.  

The Campbell Home — 115 Green Valley Drive

“Doing it for the kids.” 

While most families are grabbing Black Friday deals the day after Thanksgiving, Don Campbell’s family is busy putting up lights in his yard.

It’s an all-day process, said Campbell who lives in Rocky Face.

Campbell, his son, son-in-law, grandsons and family friends are busy in the yard while his wife Glenda keeps the coffee and hot chocolate coming. 

“I’m doing it for the kids,” said Campbell.

Campbell’s lights range from traditional, modern religious and cartoon charters. In one part of the yard you’ll find a well lit Snoopy sitting on a equally lit mailbox, while a few feet away Santa is standing next to Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse.

Campbell said he adds to his display each year. This year there is a light display of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and a manger scene. 

Campbell said it’s important to remember what Christmas means — “the birth of Jesus Christ our savior.”

Still, Campbell said he enjoys the joy his lights bring to people. 

“Every year about a month or so prior to Christmas people ask when we will put the lights out,” he said.

The lights are up from the day after Thanksgiving until the Jan. 1 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. 

Glenda Campbell said every year her husband debates whether to put the lights up.

“When people ask about the lights, he gets excited about it,” she said. 

Glenda Campbell said the family was out of town last weekend so there were no lights up. 

“One of our granddaughters’ friends sent a picture of the dark house, saying he was sad,” she said, laughing at the memory.

Don Campbell said he’d like to replace all the bulbs with LED lights. His power bill runs about $500.

“Some bulbs like the ones on Santa Claus, the John Deer tractor and Christmas tree, you can’t find bulbs to replace them,” he said. 

Campbell said he’s happy to spread a little Christmas cheer.

“I want people to enjoy the lights,” he said. 

 The Pye House — Tibbs Road

“Continuing his traditions.” 

It’s difficult to drive on Tibbs Road near ChristChurch Presbyterian and not notice the huge Christmas light display at the home affectionately known as “The Pye House.”

It’s the family home of Johnny Pye Jr., built in the 1980s by his late father Johnny Pye Sr. 

“My father had a thing for Christmas lights,” Pye said. “When I was growing up we went everywhere to look at them.”

Pye said when his father built the house he cut down trees around it and installed a fence.

“He then started putting Christmas lights up and as our tradition we put them up Thanksgiving night through New Years,” Pye said. 

The lights are on from 5 to 10 p.m.

Of all the light displays at the home Pye said his favorite is the one honoring his parents.

In bright white lights is “In Loving Memory of Dot and Johnny.” Dorothy Pye was known as Dot. 

Among the tribute are a sea of angels, gingerbread houses, dinosaurs, an American flag, horse, a waving Santa and more. 

“When dad was alive he added to it every year,” Pye said. “Over the years we’ve planted several trees to coordinate with the lights.”

Pye said he uses a company in Tennessee to buy lights and keep the maintenance up. 

“We also have a gentleman that takes care of the lights,” Pye said.

James Phillips has put the Pye lights out since 1994. He said it’s an honor to do so and something he enjoys.  In keeping with his father’s tradition, Pye uses all traditional lights. 

“It costs us more to use than the new ones (LED lights), but we like to keep it like dad had as much as possible,” he said. 

Pye said he’s not sure how much the power bill is for running Christmas lights are, but it’s “pretty expensive.”

“We have to run a separate line just for the lights,” he said.

Pye said Christmas is a special time of the year. 

“It’s a feel good time,” he said. “We’re glad share the lights and hope the community likes it. My father was very happy to do that, it was his thing and we’re just continuing his traditions.”