For the thousands who missed the annual holiday extravaganza of lights, angels, music, and food in Ruckersville last year, don’t worry: they missed you too.

Last year, the couple who put on the show, Ginny and James Perkins, made the difficult decision not to put up their annual light show because of James Perkins’ health– his cancer had worsened, and they worried about exacerbating his illness.

“We missed it as much as anyone else,” Ginny Perkins says. “I got phone calls and knocks at the door on a daily basis, and I felt very guilty.”

The couple are thrilled to be back in action this holiday season, and are especially looking forward to Friday and Saturday nights when they provide food and music for visitors.

“Absolutely everyone is invited,” Ginny Perkins says.

Besides the lights and home-cooked meal, there will also be live bluegrass and gospel music provided by Freddy Frazier, whom James calls a “top-notch guy” and the family’s best friend.

Despite the time and money it takes to turn an ordinary yard into a light extravaganza, the couple say they turn over all donations to the Greene County sheriff’s department.

That’s right, they foot the bill for the entire production themselves.

“We love doing it,” Mrs. Perkins says. “We’ve made so many friends and have met so many people.”

After eight years of decorating, they seem to have every aspect of the activity down pat. One switch controls all the outside lights. They also manage keep their electric bill surprisingly low; the highest it has ever been was $1,500 for two months– and that included their home heating system.

One time, a man who had been paralyzed from the neck down in a work-related accident came to see their house.

“After he came here, they called us back later and said that we really made a difference in his life,” says Mrs. Perkins, noting that the man soon began respond to treatments. They both recount this story with tears in their eyes, and Mr. Perkins pats Mrs. Perkins knee tenderly.

“If you can change one person’s life,” Mr. Perkins says, “what can you do for thousands of others?”

Ginny says the couple get a head start on the months-long preparations by putting up the first decorations in early June. But it all comes down in “one or two days,” James says.

The Perkins also have help from their daughter, Tammy Vaz, and her husband, Jaime. “If it wasn’t for Jaime, the lights wouldn’t go up,” James says. “He’s my main man.” (They call Tammy their “director of decorations.”)

While the lights are on seven days a week, there are so many cars trying to get to the house that some people opt for a different perspective– from above.

“People who won’t deal with the traffic will fly over to see it,” Ginny laughs.

The Perkins themselves chartered a plane one year for a full view of their handiwork.

The highlight of the season comes when nursing homes arrange for their residents to visit the Perkins’ house. “When you see their faces, it’s worth it all,” Ginny says.

Every Saturday starting December 8, Santa Claus will be on hand to greet visitors.

One year the couple say they heard a little boy screaming to his mother, “I know this is where Santa Claus lives; I’ve seen him go through that door!”

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