03 Dec 2023 The coolest Christmas collab of Conway County

Posted at 1:46 PMh in Features by

By Mary Eggart

Do yourself a favor — load your family members in the car, pack a thermos of hot cocoa and some Christmas cookies, turn on a little holiday music and cruise up Highway 95 from Morrilton about 5 miles to Nicholson Drive. As you approach your destination, the sky and landscape will become illuminated with all the wonders of Christmas where a magnificent drive-through display will delight all of the senses and bring spirited smiles to everyone’s faces.

Allan Upchurch (from left), Cindy Upchurch, Rhonda Tanner, Susie Inskeep, Sharon Grantham and Bill Grantham, all residents of Nicholson Drive in Morrilton, stand in front of one of the light displays. The popular destination is the result of a collaboration between members of the Grantham and Upchurch families. They begin setting up in early October so that the finished product is ready by Thanksgiving and remains “merry and bright” until New Year’s, only closing for heavy rain or bad weather. Photos by Mike Kemp.

This popular holiday destination is the result of a collaboration between members of the Grantham/Upchurch family. Family members are Sharon and Bill Grantham, Allan and Cindy Upchurch, Rhonda Tanner and Susie Inskeep, all residents of Nicholson Drive. Sharon, Allan and Rhonda are siblings, and together the Grantham/Upchurch family begins setting up in early October so that the finished product will be ready for the public by Thanksgiving. Countless hours are spent working days and evenings each year to make sure that every twinkling light and holiday character are perfectly positioned on Nicholson Drive. The end result is a drive-through Christmas display that checks all the boxes and leaves all who enter with big smiles and warm hearts. Each year, hundreds of vehicles come through Nicholson Drive to reap the benefits of all those hours of labor, which, according to Sharon, is truly a labor of love. “The best part of the process is the time we spend together as a family,” she said. “We share laughter and sometimes tears (when we hurt ourselves!), but every year is full of countless memories that we all cherish.”

The Grantham/Upchurch display has been a work in progress for more than 20 years with additions being a yearly occurrence. Sharon and Allan usually take the lead each year with decision making, but every family member’s input is valued, and special requests are always honored. The love of exterior Christmas lights and decorating began with Sharon, Allan, and Rhonda’s grandfather, John Nicholson Sr. Every year, he would outline his entire house with big, bright lights. Since then the family has worked diligently as a team each year to make their display bigger and better from one year to the next.

When asked if there is a particular theme to the display, Sharon stated, “For us, it’s just “A Country Christmas.” We try to have something that will appeal to everyone no matter the age group. We use many colors, have music and set up displays featuring characters from old to new. Displays are organized in small groups coming together to create the overall Christmas experience. Most of the decorations are handmade or built by us.” When driving through the display, visitors will catch sight of countless holiday inflatables, thousands of multi-colored lights and a vast assortment of wooden Christmas characters, all of which are designed, cut and painted by the family. But possibly the greatest features of the display are the giant white cross and a towering multicolored Christmas tree that lights up the sky, both of which were also designed and made by the Grantham/Upchurch family. The cross has about 3,000 lights, and the tree has approximately 5,000 lights.

For all members of the family, it is the children who visit that give them the most satisfaction and joy each year. “It’s wonderful when minivans come through with their doors open so that the kids can hear the Christmas music and see the decorations fully,” Cindy said. “Sometimes, they are even singing with the music and waving to us as they drive by.” The vivacious enthusiasm, wide-eyed wonder and sweet smiles are priceless to the family, making every hour of work and preparation totally worth it. “We do this for the kids who don’t get to experience the spirit of Christmas like we did as children,” Sharon said. “There aren’t near as many homes decorated as there used to be. The spirit and meaning of Christmas seems to be fading. We hope to share our Christmas spirit with both children and adults in and out of the community.”

There is no charge for entering the Christmas display, but the family did decide last year to set up a donation box if there was anyone who felt led to give. Sharon said that they were very hesitant to put it out because “it’s all about ‘from us to you.’” However, with the cost of plywood and other supplies increasing, the family decided it certainly wouldn’t hurt if there were some donations to help offset their costs a little each year.

The Grantham/Upchurch family welcomes everyone to come and enjoy “A Country Christmas” this December at Nicholson Drive. Heavy rain and bad weather are the only factors that close the display, which is open to vehicles nightly beginning on the evening of Thanksgiving, and the display will remain open until New Year’s.