More than a light show for Hodo

By Harold McIlvain II

VAN BUREN, Ark.--An elderly woman knocked on the door during March three years ago at the house of Richard Hodo.

When he answered the door, the woman had a gift for Hodo: an afghan blanket she had been working on since Christmas.

She explained the blanket was finished despite the rough times experienced during the holiday with inspiration from viewing the light show at the Hodo house that features over 80,000 lights synchronized to music.

Hodo never found out why she had gone through a rough time. But it was the memory he was able to provide through a light show that opened his eyes.

“There was no telling what she was going through,” Hodo said. “She might have lost a husband or something. But she watched the light show and said it really got her through Christmas. That was worth it all to me.”

After building the house 15 years ago at 1205 Woodland Creek Circle, the 66-year-old Van Buren business owner had always put lights up for the holiday season.

Five years ago, he wanted to take it to another level and add music, make the lights flicker to Christmas songs and provide a free show to the surrounding area.

“I just wanted something different,” Hodo said. “I got with a friend of mine. He puts the lights on the house for me and he had a franchise for bright ideas, so I bought my lights from him. It has kind of expanded from there.”

Hodo said there was a lack of inexpensive entertainment during a time when families spend time together.



“This is a time to give back to the community,” Hodo said. “It seems like everywhere you go, you have to pay for everything you do. No one seems to want to give. But this is the season for giving.”

And the popularity has shown as 300 cars have lined up at once winding down the street and down the main part of town.

“They appreciate it,” Hodo said. “If people didn’t respond or show that they loved this, we would think people don’t really like it. But we get the phone calls and letters throughout the year. We just watch night after night how people line up.”

The stories of the experiences the show has provided for local residents never gets old for Hodo. Last year, a woman and her two sons said they were having a hard time. But the light show was something the family was able to enjoy, Hodo said.

“She said they were able to come here and forget about their problems,” Hodo said. “She said it just lifts them up and got them throughout Christmas. It’s worth all the effort and expense that I go through.”

Hodo gave away 15,000 candy canes last year and gave way 2,700 just during the Thanksgiving weekend this year while over 7,000 cars watched the show last year.

But more is expected this year.

“There will probably be 9,000 people watch the show this year,” Hodo said. “We are just expecting more because it’s already picking up in pace early. When it gets closer to Christmas, only more people keep coming.”

Armeda Holmes, a nearby resident of the light show, said the popularity has started something that people will want to come to for years to come.

“The tradition is really growing because of it going on for a while now,” Holmes said. “Kids are starting to go because they remember going when they were younger. It is a great thing for our community to bring the spirit of the season.”

And because of the popularity of the show, Holmes said alternative routes have to be found for people who live in the area.

“At times it is so busy you have to go around the town just to get back home,” Holmes said. “I had to wait about 20 minutes trying to get back before I just turned around.”

Hodo admitted he didn’t want to think too much about the future of the light show. But he wants to keep providing memories for those you just need an activity.

“I hope I’m around in 10 years,” Hodo said laughing. “I’m sliding down the mountain. I don’t know if I can do it any different. I might just have real reindeer out there in 10 years.”