Beloved Christmas display that spent 22 years in McGregor now a big hit in new China Spring home
WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A Christmas light display in a McGregor yard for 22 years before being moved to China Spring this year is wrapping up its first successful year in its new home.
Karem Shrine in China Spring put up the Christmas lights that Roger and Lana Schmidt in McGregor had displayed for 22 years at their home off Highway 84 across from the McGregor airport.
The Schmidts donated the lights this last year after retiring the display at their home following two decades of success.
“We just wished that someone would come along and do what we did, for the reasons we did, the way we did, and literally the next day the Shriner’s knocked on the door and said, ‘can we talk?’” the Schmidts said.
Karem Shrine immediately got to work.
All the decorations were moved roughly 20 miles where the popular scenes from the McGregor home found a new spot on eight acres near China Spring, complete with a walking trail.
Robert Barben is with Karem Shriners.
“I’m gonna tell you what Lana and Roger started has just been an amazing event,” Barben said.
Barben said many families who made the Schmidt’s house a family tradition are now continuing that at their property.
He’s not sure how many families have visited, but the Shriners have already given out more than 15,000 candy canes since opening in late November.
“We have so many families that have driven through here and they walk through here and they tell us stories that they’ve been going to Lana and Roger’s place for 20 plus years and the kids are telling us the stories of their memories and their asking for particular displays like the attorney display or the dogs display or the Schmidt house display and it’s the coolest thing.”
The Festival of Lights display is at 400 Karem Circle in Waco near China Spring.
The hours at 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the exception of New Year’s Eve.
“We plan to turn the lights off at 11:59 p.m. New Year’s Eve to end the 2025 season and start working on 2026,” Barben said.
While the lights are free to enjoy, there is a donation box.
All donations will benefit Karem Shriners and do not benefit Shriners Children’s directly.
Karem Shrine says they plan to make the display an annual event with plans to make it even bigger and better next year.
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