Christmas came early this year on Wood River Drive as neighbors like Jack Lovstad adorned the street with homemade decorations, lights and more to create a collaborative community display.

For the past 26 years, Lovstad has been celebrating his favorite holiday with his 51st and Harrison Street neighbors by decorating their houses and yards to spread a little holiday cheer.

Twenty-four of the 27 houses on the street are decorated. And while the residents may try to one up each other each year, the competition is completely friendly.

That holiday spirit runs in the Lovstad family as his daughter and school cafeteria worker, Joey Russel, occasionally helps him set up his house as well as her own.

In years past, Lovstad had to start the setup process around Halloween, but since he retired this year he was able to start a little later and still have it up and running by Thanksgiving.

Lovstad even dons a red suit to compliment his natural beard to greets kids and adults alike with candy canes and a smile. Not wanting to disappoint any children, he stays outside until everyone has had a chance to speak to Santa.

Lovstad will continue his duties as Santa’s helper and remain outside from anywhere between a couple to several hours dressed as Mr. Clause until Christmas Eve.

“Seeing their faces lit up because they’re so innocent and believing in Santa Clause and just so excited about it… that’s what it’s all about – the children,” Lovstad said.

Being Santa has had its share of difficulties. One may expect Lovstad’s biggest obstacle to be the sometimes harsh winter weather, but according to him, the hardest part about being Saint Nick is when kids ask for something that not even Santa could deliver.

“I don’t promise any child anything,” Lovstad said. “You can see the looks on the parents’ faces sometimes. They don’t have the money for that or whatever and it’s like ‘well let’s see what we can do.'”

The cost of running such a show may seem like a lot, but Lovstad has it covered. Even if it’s just putting aside a couple dollars here and there or saving leftover change, he always finds a way to afford the time, money and energy to put together his part of the neighborhood show.

Altogether, Lovstad usually spends a couple hundred dollars or more each year. To get the best deal, Lovstad buys the lights when they go on sale before Christmas and saves them for the next year.

“It’s an awesome experience,” Russel said. “It gets me emotional sometimes cause just to see the joy he [Lovstad] brings to people of all ages. The sparkle in his eye and the puff of his chest, the way he embraces the role of being Santa’s helper and just how much joy it brings him too.”

People can search the event on the Facebook page Russel manages at Wood River Drive Christmas Street or visit the light show behind the Family Fare on 51st and Harrison Streets.