There is no doubt that Christmas is Corey Lee’s favorite holiday.
More than 50,000 Christmas lights shine bright at Leesville, as his display on New Britton Highway south of Whiteville has become known. The annual display has spread to several of his family’s neighboring homes, and is free.
“I just like to share the joy with the community,” Lee said. “We love Christmas, and want everyone else to enjoy it, too.”
In 2009, Lee said he “had an idea” about how to brighten everyone’s spirits. He began decorating outside, and “things just began to flow,” he laughed.
“Every year, I try to add to our Winter Wonderland,” he said.
The display has become popular with families who set aside times to visit, as well as passersby who have never heard of the tradition but are drawn to the massive Christmas light display.
“It’s nice to see families out here, children having a good time, enjoying everything,” he said. “It makes it worthwhile.”
Lee’s parents Lonnie and Pam sponsor the show. His cousin Christopher got into the act this year, doubling the light show from last year’s light count of 25,000.
The show runs from Thanksgiving through Jan. 6, Old Christmas.
“We’re traditional that way,” he said. “We want everybody to have plenty of time to come by and enjoy it.”
Lee said the electric bill is far less than people might think.
“We can thank the miracle of LED lights for that,” he laughed.
Lee said he feels people get too busy in the weeks building up to Christmas, and that people need to “have some fun and enjoy it.
“I just wanted to do something good for my community,” he said. “We have a good county, a good state, and a great country. People need to realize how good we have it, and remember what Christmas is all about.”
Leesville Shows is located at 7020 and 6972 New Britton Hwy. South, Whiteville. The show runs every night from 5-11 p.m., although the music is turned off at 10. Visitors are asked to park on the side of the road or in the driveway, but not on the grass.
Lee said the work requires a lot of planning and weeks of work, but he doesn’t mind.
“It’s all worth it to see all the smiles and people enjoying a safe, fun, wholesome family atmosphere,” he said.
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