Candy Cane Court celebrates its last holiday
Bluedevilhub.com Staff–
For 11 years, the people of Davis flocked to Candy Cane Court during the holiday season. This year, however, will be different; the Christmas extravaganza is being discontinued.
“We’re cutting things back,” said Court resident and Davis High junior Tyler Powell, referring to the mass of decorations that adorned lawns and festooned houses during Christmas time over the past decade.
The event, situated in a Wildhorse cul-de-sac, became popular in Davis over the course of its many years; numerous attractions featured different Davis musical groups, candy canes, apple cider and hot chocolate and even a Santa for kids to meet and ask for gifts.
“Candy Cane Court offered a chance for people to come, enjoy listening to the Holmes Jr. High Band, visit with Santa and enjoy the amazing UCD Aggie Band on our community night,” Tyler’s mother Kristy Powell said.
Children with parents would arrive from all over Davis to visit the festive and exciting cul-de-sac.
“Hundreds of people came for the Santa Claus nights,” Tyler said, adding that he observed “boatloads of cars” bringing merry citizens to the Court.
However, an event of such extravagance does not come without its costs. There are multitudes of Christmas lights that line the Powell family’s house and throughout the cul-de-sac.
“It’s expensive […] it raises [our electrical bill] by 300%,” Tyler said.
All of the decorations take a lot of time to put up, as well.
“The set up would involve five to seven full days alone,” Kristy said.
The Court would not go from brilliantly lit to pitch black, however; some of the lights will still be up.
“We’re going to put up some of the favorite wood cutouts,” Tyler said. Kristy echoed that statement. “It would be hard to go from Candy Cane Court to complete darkness!”
Even so, Candy Cane Court’s legacy will be missed by many.
“We went just about every year. I have two younger brothers, and I think it’s something they’ll miss,” junior Henry Csaposs said.
The Court also gave back to the Davis community that supported and attended it by winning $100,000 for the school district.
“Over the years, the community was always generous to donate to STEAC (Short Term Emergency Aid Committee) when they visited. They again were generous with their time to help vote and win $100,000 for [the school district] in the patch.com Christmas Decorating Contest,” Kristy said.
The decorating contest occurred in 2011, with the Powell’s house competing nationwide. They won handily, due to the votes of diligent Davis residents.
“We just entered it and we won it,” Tyler said.
But now, everything will be scaled back. Kristy noted that this will give the Powells, and other families living in the Court, time to have more “family activities that don’t involve light bulbs.”
“It’s kind of depressing,” said sophomore Jasmine Casillas, who has visited the event several times in the past. “It’s kind of a Davis thing […] it doesn’t exist anymore.”
Kristy also reflected on some of the happy memories of the Court’s celebrations.
“Watching children in their PJ’s and slippers squealing with excitement is something that we will not forget,” Kristy said.
Tyler is confident that there will be other houses in other neighborhoods to keep the Christmas tradition alive.
“There are […] houses that do spectacular jobs by themselves,” Tyler said.
Candy Cane Court will have a lasting impact on the Davis community.
“I think it brought joy and childlike delight to the people who visited. Our house will always have lights,” Kristy said.
