Moorhead’s WINTER WONDERLAND is a MUST on your list between now and New Year’s Day. Santa’s elves have been extremely busy on Forrest Place in Moorhead, at the residence of Gail and Jimmy Lloyd. For the 14th year, the elves have fabricated trees of various heights which are designed using vibrant LED lights. Obviously the elves slipped into Moorhead (maybe in the spring) and spread magic fertilizer – because many of the fabricated trees are much taller this year.
If you’re coming from out of town on Hwy. 82, turn south onto Hwy. 3, go over the railroad track, and immediately take a right, which will take you past the huge Salute to America monument which has a huge American flag flowing in the breeze. The patriotic monument is lit and was painted by Baird native Shade Smith. This street will dead-end at Forrest Place. All around the lot of the display, as well as the adjoining lot, are ground lights on both sides of the street. These lights are vibrant blue. The entrance drive to the residence, which is also outlined by blue lights, is guarded by two large concrete lions which are collared with large green wreaths. Next to the lions are two signs – Dirt Dobber Farms – which are lit by white LED strip lights. Once a non-southerner asked why Mr. Jimmy would have a dirt dauber farm. Obviously the person wasn’t a southerner!! Mr. Jimmy moves dirt; he doesn’t raise dirt daubers!!
The eight airborne planes are in different places this year. They are outlined in white lights. See if you can find all eight. In addition to these are the two white fighter jets on a wall outlined by white LED strip lights. These jets are in memory of the 16 Yanky72 heroes who perished near Moorhead on July 10, 2017.
New this year are brilliant white LED strip lights in various places. The roofs of the two residences are outlined in the strip lights and provide the perfect backdrop for the display. The words NOEL and MERRY CHRISTMAS flank either side of the drive leading to the residences. The letters are in brilliant red and green lights.
There are many live trees which are wrapped with solid green, red, blue, and white lights. There are also multicolored lights used. One sold-white-wrapped tree looks like there are icicles hanging from the limbs. The tallest and biggest-in-diameter fabricated tree is multicolored. The tree is on the north side of the historic home that was built by Chester Pond, founder of Moorhead. Gail’s mother, Barbara Jones, lived in this residence. This was Barbara’s favorite tree because she could see it from her living room; so Jimmy, in memory of Barbara, makes sure that this multicolored tree is in place every year.
To celebrate the “reason for the season,” look for the religious symbols. There are several brilliant white crosses with the LED strip lights. Look for the white Star of David high in the sky. There are three rugged wooden crosses which have spot lights – one is behind the Baptist Church; one near the street north of one lion; and one on the adjoining lot south of the residences.
