CHILTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Chilton North Pole Christmas Village has opened its doors for another year.
The display includes lights, dolls and even an appearance from Santa. And even though we’re still a few days out from Thanksgiving, it’s never too early to be thinking about Christmas.
“Everybody who puts up Christmas lights — there’s no wrong way,” North Pole Christmas Village Owner and Creator Troy Campbell said. “It’s their impression, it’s an expression of themselves both financially and how they figure Christmas should be. So there’s never a wrong way. I’m just a little more nuts.”
Campbell is always thinking about what he’ll add to the Christmas Village next. It started 14 years ago with a much different look.
“I had a chair and I had a couple dolls and I waved at people,” Campbell said. “That’s all I had.”
Four years ago, the display made the move from Kaukauna to Chilton — making yearly expansions possible.
“The older people said it brought back memories of when they were children,” Campbell said. “The younger kids — we have Santa and the lights and that. So I’ve kind of got a spectrum on both ends and they meet together in the middle.”
Campbell doesn’t charge anything for people to experience his creation — instead, he relies on donations to stay up and running.
“Just the magic of the season and keeping the Christmas spirit alive,” Becca Jablonski of Kaukauna said. “We love what they’re doing here and his mission.”
Jablonski and her daughter Harper are among the many who can’t get enough of the sights and sounds.
“Make the trip,” Jablonski said. “It’s definitely worth it. He puts so much time into it — he loves it, you can tell.”
Jablonski urges anyone to visit regardless of distance. In the village’s 14th season, it’s gotten so big and so popular amongst guests that people from every state and over 50 countries have come out to see the displays.
“I want to make sure their presence here and their experience is more and more enjoyable and worth the drive,” Campbell said.
The village will remain open until Dec. 23rd, except for Mondays.
Campbell says he’s placed a special emphasis on accessibility for people with disabilities. Private showings are also available.
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