More than a decade ago, Kaukauna citizen Troy Campbell and his son-in-law Robert began building a village display after Troy was injured and out of work following a collision with a drunk driver. 

Until 2018, the one-million-lightbulb display took over Campbell’s residential corner in Kaukauna. But the ever-increasing queues of cars caused concern for the neighbors, and after a few complaints, Kaukauna officials decided to give Santa and his elves an eviction notice. 

A bit of news coverage and community concern prompted the owner of a local business, Concrete Cutters Inc., to offer some of his land in a nearby industrial park. The permits were approved by the city; however, the price of running electricity out there was more than Campbell was prepared for. For the previous seasons, he had always funded the display himself. Fortunately a slew of local businesses stepped up, volunteering and holding fundraisers.