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Seven miles south of Philomath, on Highway 22, sits
one of the area’s most memorable holiday traditions. For 13
years, “Christmas in Dixie,” which has grown from one family’s
holiday display to an electric wonderland of dioramas, lighted
trees and campfires, has brought families out into the cold,
December air to revel in the spirit of the holiday.
While plenty of people decorate for the holidays, few take
it to the extreme reached by Earl and Lyda Bennett. The
Bennetts started their displays in 1983 with some decorations
tram Lyda Bennett’s grandmother.
“We didn’t do it for any particular reason,” she says. “It
just kind of evolved. We put up one big tree and a manger
scene.”
The family sat out front beneath the Christmas lights,
picking on guitars and singing. To their surprise, people started
coming up to see them, listen to the music and enjoy the
decorations. So, the Bennetts decided to make it bigger the
next year.
Their displays have grown exponentially since, now cov
ering nine acres with over 250,000 lights.
“Every year more and more people come, so we have to
make it bigger each year,” Bennett says.
To help them keep up with the growth cf “Christmas in
Dixie,” they rely on their six children, 17 grandchildren
and friends.
“We even have people who take leave from work to
help us run it,” Bennett says.
“Christmas in Dixie” is truly one of the few you-can’t-
miss-its that exist. Like runway lights, the twink'ing
starry glow through the trees guides drivers right to
the Bennetts’ doorstep.
Around a bend in the road and just off to the right,
the Bennett home sits surrounded by 400 trees draped
in lights. Their yard is an illuminated forest, full of
surprises and folksy charm. Little blue and red strings
of lights adorn young trees, while a towering Santa
Claus keeps watch for Christmas Eve.
Giant white stars flicker and blink. Ply
wood families are pulled in plywood sleds by
teams of plywood horses. Plastic Santas and
snowmen dot the landscape. If there is such
a thing as yard art, then “Christmas in Dixie”
is its Louvre.
The lights continue in every direction.
Throughout the glimmering branches, the many
stories of the season are acted out by painted figures,
rag dolls and recycled toys. Elves and reindeer, angels and
baby Jesus, dolls and animals all come together in one won
derful spectacle of good cheer.
Although Christmas carols sung by Loretta Lynn and the
Statler Brothers have replaced the Bennetts’ voices, their
handiwork is all around.
“We cover everything in our displays from the Grinch to
the religious,” Bennett says. She suggests that everyone who
comes out dress warmly, wear comfortable shoes and take their
time to enjoy everything there is to see.
The magic their hard work creates is at times overblown
but can still be appreciated. Some of the displays are overly
sentimental, and others are perhaps tacky, but in such a com
mercialized holiday season it is easy to forgive something so
homespun.
Along with their labor, the expense of running
so many lights from Thanksgiving to New Years
also places a burden on the Bennetts. They are
not doing it for the money, Bennett says. So,
to help them defray the costs, they welcome
donations, and they sell baked goods and
crafts as well as hot dogs and marshmallows
for roasting.
“That’s the only thing that makes this
thing go,” she says.
“Christmas in Dixie” is truly an act
of love and an expression of the
Bennetts’ desire to share the spirit of
Christmas with everyone.
“I think it’s kind of turned into our
testament of life,” Lyda Bennett says.
Neil Swanson
Christinas in Dixie is open every
evening "Thanksgiving to New Year's
Day." Go east on Highway 78
through Lexington (approximately
15 miles), and just on the other side
of Lexington turn right onto Georgia
22. Christmas in Dixie is seven miles
down Hwy. 22 on the right. “You can’t
niss it.” No charge for admission, but a
contribution will help pay the light bill.
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