What began with a single plastic snowman and a few old-fashioned C9 colored lights has grown into the largest Christmas light display in Calhoun County and possibly the region.
It’s normal this time of year to see bumper-to-bumper traffic after dark in front of David and Teresa Martins’ house on Strong Street in Derma watching the colorful light show that dances to music.
David Martin
“It’s just the joy of the kids,” David Martin said. “You can come outside and hear them hollering, ‘Mama, stop, stop!’ That’s just priceless.”
Martin said his infatuation with the lights dates back to his youth.
“That was our family thing when we were growing up,” Martin said. “By the week of Christmas you had heard who had the best lights and you went. It didn’t matter if it was Bruce, Vardaman wherever. We sure enjoyed it.”
The Martins’ yard is filled with dozens of characters, 75% of which are animated, and thousands and thousands of Christmas lights.
Martin said he couldn’t begin to estimate the number of lights or “miles” of extension cords that criss-cross his yard. The American flag on his roof, that’s part of a tribute to the 858th in this year’s display, contains thousands of lights in itself.
“With our National Guard boys gone right now we wanted to do a little tribute to our troops,” Martin said. “So we play the songs for all five branches of the military and it ends up with ‘God Bless the USA.’”
A life-like Santa Claus stays busy in one of the windows checking his list, hanging stockings and even waving at passers-by.
“We have the Grinch in the window this year, too,” Martin said.
One night last week two boys were in the street looking at the Santa in the window and debating if he was real or not.
The younger boy said, “He is real. I know he is.”
About that time their mother called them and the young boy waved and said “Bye Santa.”
“Just at that time Santa waved back in the window and you could hear that little boy, – ‘I told you he was real,’” Martin said.
As his display has grown over the years, it has spilled into the yard of his in-laws Mr. and Mrs. Dock Gabbert on one side and aunt, Judy Tedford, on the other.
“A.G. Gibson across the street has started asking me how we’re going to expand over to his side of the road,” Martin said.
With all of that, Martin said his utility bill is only up approximately $100.
“That’s more than worth it for all the smiles this brings,” Martin said.
Next week, Martin hopes to have Santa outside at night to visit with kids and to meet and greet their many visitors.
“We really have a big time on those nights,” Martin said.
Martin also has a tub at the end of the driveway to collect canned goods from visitors for the local food pantry. His biggest collection, however, is the many hugs and thank you’s he receives from those who come to get a full dose of Christmas spirit.
“One boy told me the real Santa Claus lives in Derma, Mississippi,” Martin said. “That meant a lot.”