LEESBURG, Ga. (WALB) - Bright searchlights illuminate the Lee County sky this holiday season, leading visitors to a special address where 50,000 lights create what many call the most decorated house in the area.

The Clay Christmas display at 238 Story Lane draws crowds nightly to see synchronized music, animated characters and holiday scenes that have grown from humble beginnings after the devastating 1994 flood.

“It all runs off of a computer program; we just added the train this year, that’s new, those trees over there are new,” said Gina Clay.

What began as six pine trees decorated as candy canes has expanded over 31 years into an elaborate spectacle featuring carousels, tea cups, Smurfs, Care Bears and a Christmas Vacation scene with Cousin Eddie.

The synchronized display requires significant effort from John, Gina and the entire Clay family each year.

“We struggle putting it up, its a lot harder than it used to be because there’s so much stuff and every year we fuss and say ‘we’re not doing it again, its too much’ and then you have a child come out here and say ‘this is the best Christmas ever,’ and it makes it all worth it,” Gina Clay said.

For the Clay family, the display focuses on inclusion and community access during the holiday season. They host a special needs night that starts earlier for families who cannot handle crowds and need daylight.

“We did our special needs night where we start a little early for people with special needs that can’t be around the crowds and have a little bit of daylight, so it doesn’t cause problems and that’s our favorite night of the whole season,” Gina Clay said. “We enjoy have them come, the same people have come for years and watching their kids grow up, and the smiles on their faces is incredible.”

Ashlin Mims, the Clays’ daughter, grew up watching her home transform into the Christmas spectacle and now embraces the tradition.

“My teachers and my friends from school were like ‘you live at the Christmas house’ Sure, I guess that’s what you can call it,” Mims said.

She finds joy in watching families experience the display.

“I love getting to see kids light up when they roll their window down and go like ‘Oh my gosh’ or they recognize a song, or they recognize a character in the backyard, it’s really awesome because it’s a little something for everybody, its generational even,” Mims said. “There’s toys back there that my dad played with as a child.”

Despite the challenges of setup and weather, Mims said the payoff comes when the lights turn on Thanksgiving night.

“And of course the heartache of putting it out and battling the cold and the rain, and adding new stuff. What are we going to add? Where’s it going to go? That prat took some growing but then of course when we light up Thanksgiving night and everybody’s excited and it kicks off, that’s worth it,” she said.

Clay Christmas will remain up through the New Year. Mims plans to continue the tradition and pass it down to her children.

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