Pipestone Flyer
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Vol 15, Issue 1
In Leduc County's Tiebeke Estates just outside of New Sarepta, is a home draped in the colours, lights, and decorative finery of the Yuletide season. For years, Mike and Joyce Frazer have created breathtaking Christmas displays during the holiday season, adding more scenic pieces every year.
"We've been doing this for about twenty years," said Mike, "and as long as we are able, we will keep doing it. Last year we had to bring in an extra power pole with its own breaker box," he chuckles.
The snow-covered lawn sloping down from the house provides an excellent backdrop for the display of lights including reindeer and sleds, glowing Christmas trees, a glittering pond of skaters, a giant gingerbread house, a train of lights, and much more.
Busloads of seniors from Wetaskiwin and Ponoka have travelled to the Frazers to take in the sights, and school buses have started routes early so that kindergarten children could experience the dazzling display on their way to school. Frazers' Christmas exhibit draws people from all around Alberta, as far away as Fort McMurray and Athabasca.
The latter happened one night, says Mike, when a white stretch limo drove up around 2:00 a.m. and asked if Mike would turn the lights on so the visitors could see and experience his artwork. Filled with the spirit of Christmas, Mr. Frazer happily flipped the switches that brought the spectacular display to life and smiles to many faces.
"And that's why we do it," said Mike, explaining the joy in watching people's faces light up as they take in the magical Yuletide wonderland scene.
To some it may seem that the Frazer's well-designed, expertly choreographed winter playland is replete with every Christmas decoration available. Not so, says Mike. Mr. Frazer has his eye on a twelve foot tall, sixty foot Seasons Greetings sign complete with a fourteen foot tall poinsettia gracing either end of the sign.
To view the Frazers' magnificent essence of Christmas spirit, travel east on Rollyview Road out of Leduc, turn north on Range Road 221 until you reach Tiebeke Estates.