HAYDEN, Idaho – The Christmas light display which caused national controversy in a Hayden neighborhood opened to the public Wednesday night. The display is expected to be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. through Sunday.
The display includes thousands of lights, a 22 person choir, Santa Claus, the Grinch and other characters. Jeremy Morris even brought in a live camel for opening night to add to the nativity scene.
"We came last year and couldn't pass it up again this year," said volunteer Katie Dotts who served hot chocolate on Wednesday. "We wanted to come this year and be volunteers."
Morris presented his first Christmas display in a Hayden neighborhood in 2014. The event featured hundreds of lights, a live camel, carolers and Santa Claus himself. Morris said the event doubled as a fundraiser, and that he was able to donate hundreds of dollars to local children's charities after the holiday season.
The West Hayden Estates Homeowner's Association Board had threatened to sue Morris if he did the display again but later decided not to. The Homeowners Association and a local law firm originally told Morris the light show violates a number of clauses in his home agreement, including noise levels, excessive brightness and nuisance. The Vice President of the HOA board emphasized that their opposition was not to Morris' decorations, but rather all of the extra traffic and noise and the event would bring to the neighborhood. Morris had considered filling his own counter lawsuit but said he probably will not.
Neighbors said they were most worried about the traffic from the event. In turn, Morris asked people to park off site and take a shuttle to his home.
If you know about an elaborate Christmas light display in the Inland Northwest, upload a photo on the Holiday Lights page. The map allows people to share the locations of the best Christmas lights so others can stop by and see.
