A small-town Christmas display in southeast Arkansas gained national acclaim Monday as a winner of ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight.
Finney's Christmas Wonderland, named after homeowner Sam Finney, began in the 1980s in Crossett and has expanded over the years to feature more than 1 million lights, according to the display's website.
His display includes two snow globes, a 14-foot merry-go-round, a drive-through light tunnel, four 8-foot Bibles, an animated Nativity scene and a 16-foot snow slide.
"Sam Finney is a recent widower and made a promise to his wife to keep this display going," co-host Taniya Nayak said in introducing Finney's display to the viewing audience. "Every square inch of this place is filled with the most beautiful handmade light displays."
After winning, Finney said: "This is more than I could ever imagine. It just caps off a lifetime of what I always wanted to do — put up a light display that everyone in the world could see. I just wish Julia was here right now to see this moment."
The display was featured during the penultimate episode Monday night on ABC as part of the holiday show's two-part season finale.
After competing against the Mish family in Kirkland, Wash.; Nelson family in Elk Grove, Calif.; and the Hoag family in Strongsville, Ohio; the Finneys' display was declared the winner. As the episode's winner, the Finney family received $50,000.
Finney's Christmas display continues nightly through New Year's Eve at 123 Goshen Road in Crossett. Hours of operation are 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Sam Finney displays his 'Great Light Fight' trophy and receives honors.
Posted by Finney's Christmas Wonderland on Tuesday, December 22, 2015
