A couple living near Trinity Lutheran High School on the northeast side of Seymour have turned their desire to share their Christmas joy with others into an annual event benefiting others and so much more.
Lights on Greenbrier features nearly 30,000 lights synchronized to music at the home of Tyler and Anna Claycamp at 775 Greenbrier Drive.
The Claycamps served up cookies and cocoa Nov. 25 for opening night while onlookers tuned in to 88.7 FM on their car radios as the lights flickered along to festive music.
Claycamp said this is the third year for Lights on Greenbrier, and the show is available for viewing from 6 to 10 p.m. daily through New Year’s Eve for those who like to drive around and see Christmas displays.
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“I really enjoy putting up lights, and the main reason I do it is because I grew up going around looking at Christmas lights every year,” said Tyler, a 2013 Seymour High School graduate. “So then I started putting up lights.”
When he first tried putting up a Christmas light display in 2009 at his parents’ home in Cortland, it consisted of just a couple of strands of lights along the deck railing and then along the sidewalk, but there wasn’t any music.
When Christmas was over that year, the family bought some discounted lights at after-Christmas sales.
The next year, they kept adding things, and Tyler decided to continue on, adding more each year, he said.
Different parts of the Lights on Greenbrier display light up based on the music, including “Noel” and “Dueling Jingle Bells,” just to name a couple. Each year, Tyler said he has tried to change up the songs.
In the center of the front yard is a large tree constructed from strings of lights and positioned amidst eight medium-sized Christmas trees.
Along the sidewalk are mini trees that light up and a string of multicolored lights.
Up near the house, there are large candy canes and candles that light up. There also are several Santa Clauses, reindeer and snowmen and an illuminated manger scene.
Strings of lights are neatly wrapped around the three columns on the front porch, and icicle lights hang from the guttering.
Tyler said he usually starts putting up lights in early October, but this year, he changed most of the display, so he began setting up in September. The light show typically is finished and open to the public right after Thanksgiving.
Last year, the Claycamps accepted donations of toys, blankets, stuffed animals, storybooks, cell phone chargers, pet supplies and other items for those affected by the eastern Tennessee wildfires.
Tyler said they would like to take up another collection this year, but they haven’t decided what to collect for yet. As information becomes available, it will be posted on the Lights on Greenbrier Facebook page.
After seeing or hearing about Lights on Greenbrier, people started asking Tyler if he knew of anyone who would put up lights for them or if he had ever done that for people.
“Some people would love to have lights up but can’t do it anymore,” he said. “Right now, it’s just me putting up the lights, but as I get more requests, my brother or a couple of my friends could help out.”
So far, he has only advertised his custom Christmas light installation service on Facebook just to see if there would be an interest.
There are a few different options, beginning with the customer providing the lights and extension cords and Tyler installing and removing the lights.
Another way is for Tyler to provide the lights and cords by leasing them to the customer for the season, taking care of setup and removal.
If something happens and the lights go out midseason, they will be repaired with no additional cost.
At the end of the season, he will remove the lights and take care of storage throughout the year, Tyler said.
Lastly, if customers would rather own the lights instead of leasing, the lights can be purchased through Tyler to get the commercial grade.
“I know of people that have done this in some bigger cities, like Cincinnati,” he said. “I didn’t know of anybody that hangs up Christmas lights around here, so I thought I’d give it a try.”
At this time, Tyler has no plans to install synchronized musical light shows.
For information, send him a message via the Lights on Greenbrier Facebook page or call 812-216-7027.
The next special event at Lights on Greenbrier will be Candy Canes and Lights from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 15. with the light show continuing until 10 p.m.
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What: Lights on Greenbrier
When: 6 to 10 p.m. daily through New Year’s Eve
Where: 775 Greenbrier Drive, Seymour
Cost: Free
Information: facebook.com/claycamplightdisplay
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While visiting Lights on Greenbrier, tune your car radio to 88.7 FM as the lights are synchronized to music. The radio station is subject to change.
Don’t block driveways, always use parking lights in the show area, keep radio volume to a listening level, never walk in the display area and do not litter.
It’s a drive-through type of show and free to the public.
You may park your car on the side of the street, get out of the car and enjoy the lights, but stay out of the yard due to safety concerns.
Occasionally, due to weather or technical problems, the show may be canceled.
Special events will be posted on Facebook.
For information about a Christmas light installation service, send Tyler Claycamp a message via the Lights on Greenbrier Facebook page or call 812-216-7027.
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