ELYRIA, Ohio – Joel Shupp sifts through stacks of wood to find the perfect piece.
He grabs a block and hands it to his son, Joel, Jr.
They’re building an outdoor train –a Shupp holiday tradition.
“We’re installing the train in the front yard that runs during all kinds of weather and mainly we have to get it leveled so it doesn’t derail during a showing,” said Joel Sr.
The family is building a Christmas train display for the City of Elyria, but budget cutbacks put a halt on the project for several years.
“It’s unfortunate, but we stopped the display in 2008 due to the turn in the economy,” said Elyria Mayor Holly Brinda.
This year, Brinda said the community stepped forward and donated $61,000 to restore the display to its full glory.
“I think it really speaks to a sense of shared responsibility in the community of Elyria,” she said. “People felt strongly that they wanted this community tradition to continue and they were willing to take the step and invest.”
In addition to bringing back the trains, the lights are what draw a big crowd, said Jay Horwedel, who helps craft the lights each year.
“It’s amazing, it really is,” he said. “And I’m proud of what we do and for the city, I’m just glad we could do this this year. I really am.”
The last time Finwood was lit up, a record 46,000 cars swept through Finwood, Horwedel said.
And to make the display a must-see of the holiday season, Horwedel said they have nearly half-a-million lights for people to see.
“There are cool features like, we have like the rivers, the animals and stuff,” he said. “I think I made four rivers. I have one in the back, one here. Frogs, deer, just so many things.”
Horwedel and Joel Sr. say the next few days are crunch time, as the display will be open to the public on Wednesday.
Yet, Joel Sr. said he’s glad to see it back – hopefully for many years to come.
“Well, it’s like a gift back I think in a way,” he said. “And I think that’s what more people should be doing, giving back to the community as much as they can.”
The Holiday at Finwood Estate is open from Dec. 5 until the 22. The lights are on from 6 to 9 p.m. During those hours, visitors can enjoy free hot cocoa, listen to carolers and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Finwood Estate house.
The Finwood Estate is located at 799 North Abbe Road in Elyria.