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The Cranes Corner Road homeowner, an auto mechanic, hung thousands of Christmas lights, played music, and made dozens of his own moving, wooden cutouts (see video here).
And each year, people would turn out in droves to see the display.
"It was phenomenal, it was amazing," said Jackie Silvrants, of Stafford. "Those of us who grew up here love and remember it with great fondness."
In 2006, the Silvrants started a Christmas display of their own — just before Ho Ho Ho Land closed. And they hope brings the same joy to their northern Virginia neighbors that Ho Ho Ho Land brought to them.
"We both have always loved Christmas," Silvrants said. "After that first year, when Rick bought me a Snoopy blow-up, I went out the next day and bought a couple things."
It's only grown from there.
This year, Jackie and Rick — who both recently retired from their federal jobs — are up to 87 wooden cutouts, 110 wire figures,10 blow-ups, more than 4,000 lights, and music coordinated via car radio.
Their priority has shifted to the wooden cutouts, which Jackie says pay homage to Ho Ho Ho Land.
"We draw out the patterns, and he cuts, then I paint," Silvrants said. "That’s really taken off and it’s where our focus is."
They've got Gingerbread Land and a zoo. They've got elves and a little pond, the Grinch and lots of familiar faces from the holiday season.
The Silvrants' display goes up on Thanksgiving Night every year. They have people coming from King George, Spotsylvania, and Manassas to enjoy it through New Year's Eve.
Kids who mail letters to Santa from the Silvrants' home will get a letter back. They're also a Toys for Tots drop-off site and they collect donations for the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.
A lot of work goes into getting it up, Silvrants said. Why do they do it? Simple.
"When the families ride through and the car windows are down and you hear the kids," said Silvrants, "you hear them say, 'Hey look at that!' or 'Oh my God I love that elf,' or 'Look it’s ham from Toy Story.'
"That’s why we do it."
The Silvrants' display is located at 68 Van Horn Lane in Stafford.
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