The lights are going out again for an area favorite Christmas display.
Lighting Up Paxton, the Johnson family Christmas display, is taking a break in 2018.
Victor Johnson, creator of the synchronized light and music show, shared via his website that the show will not go on this year:
Lighting Up Paxton is going back on vacation for Christmas 2018. It was a pleasure and joy to bring the display back last year, but unfortunately I have not had the time necessary to do the same this year.
A display of this scale takes hundreds of hours, from installation in November and December to planning, prep work, and synchronizing new songs in the middle of the summer. I wish it were possible to dedicate all my free time to this hobby, but unfortunately that is not always the case.
You will still see my work on several homes and properties throughout Paxton this Christmas, only without the lights dancing to music.
Always a fan of Christmas decorations and lights, Johnson began creating computer controlled displays in 2011. In this 2014 Q & A with Chambanamoms, Johnson describes his hobby as stressful at times, but also a very rewarding experience. Johnson took a two-year hiatus from the light display in 2015 and 2016 due to the extensive time commitment it required.
He brought it back last year in 2017, delighting holiday enthusiasts across Illinois.
Johnson says he feels “rather confident about a return next year in 2019, with plenty of new ideas and songs to add.”
Looking for more Champaign-Urbana area Christmas lights displays? Our full Champaign-Urbana area Christmas Lights guide will go up right after Thanksgiving. If you have a Christmas lights tip for us, please send it to editor@chambanamoms.com.
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