Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a series highlighting some of Northwest Indiana’s most decorative homes during the Christmas season.
On a routine Wednesday evening cars file down the road slowly rounding the cul-de-sac to see the elaborate lighting display at 2140 McCool Road in Portage. The cars are unable to stop to keep the traffic steady for the relentless procession of vehicles waiting to see the light show.
McCool Road is generally a quiet street for most of the year, but two homes are bringing a constant flow of traffic during the Christmas season.
“You wouldn’t believe how many cars are out there every night,” Perry Ingersoll, the curator of the display at 2140 McCool Road said.
Ironically, Ingersoll said he was inspired to create his elaborate exhibit by Rex McCulloch, who lives down the street at 2240 McCool Road, and was featured in this series Wednesday.
With two bright holiday displays during the Christmas season just a block apart, McCool Road becomes a highly populated street during the holiday season, Ingersoll said.
Ingersoll said it takes two months for him and his wife, Sherry Ingersoll, to complete their light show. There are four miniature Christmas trees in the front, large lights dangling from the tree in his front yard, a small-scale lighthouse and an assortment of other ornaments and lights adorning the house.
Both Ingersoll and McCulloch hired a Santa Claus to stand in front of their homes during the Christmas season. When Ingersoll brings Santa Claus, his neighbor, Jon Snyder, and his family, serves hot chocolate to the visitors out of a custom-made booth.
“The Snyders do the hot chocolate and, boy, does that bring a lot of people out,” Ingersoll said.
Ingersoll said he enjoys seeing how happy extravagant Christmas light displays make people.
“I know everybody says it but I really do love seeing how much people seem to enjoy it,” he said, adding that he’s received notes in the mailbox from people expressing their gratitude.
“It’s really pretty cool how much joy it brings the kids.”
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