The Story Behind A Wilson County Tradition

Chad’s Winter Wonderland is a Christmas staple in Wilson County. And has been for 41 years.

The same year Olive Garden launched (1982). 

With over 3 million lights and located smack dab in between Mt Juliet and Lebanon on Highway 109, Chad’s is the spot to take your family to see Christmas lights and get in the festive spirit.

Chad was gracious to join me for an interview. Here’s his story.

He was only 12 years old

So, how did it start? You may have expected it was a family tradition. Passed down from father to son. Like I had. But you’d be wrong, like I was until I asked Chad.

Chad’s Winter Wonderland is a dream and creation of a 12-year-old boy. And that same Chad is the one who sets up and takes down the lights. He fixes things when they break. Every year he adds several new things to the exhibit to keep it fresh and alive.

Back to 12-year-old Chad. 

Chad’s family would visit his grandmother in Nashville around the holidays. He adored these trips to see his grandma. And he especially loved how she decorated her house for the holidays. 

When there, he’d pitch in a hand and continue decorating.

If you were not alive during 1982 (guilty as charged), Christmas lights were not as popular as they are now. They were expensive and fragile (big glass bulbs).

When he was 12 his grandmother offered her lights to him. She wasn’t able to decorate like she used to and she knew he loved them. So she gave him the lights.

Chad took them home and immediately began decorating his front yard. 

How Chad’s grew

By the time Chad was 15, his Christmas decorations began drawing a crowd. So much so that his decorations were mentioned in the newspaper.

Sometime around then, he opened a Christmas tree stand in the lot across from his house (the same house Chad’s Winter Wonderland is now). 

Customers would stop to purchase their Christmas tree and see the lights across the street. Slowly more and more people stopped at the Christmas tree stand to check out Chad’s lights. 

Finally one day, a family asked him who owned the house. He proudly replied, “That’s my house.” And they asked if they could walk through the lights to see them all up close.

And the idea for a drive-through light exhibit was born. 

Editor’s note: A theme throughout this story is how Chad served the community at every opportunity. When they asked, he delivered.

Onward.

Inspired by the visitors

As Chad’s Winter Wonderland grew and grew, Chad listened to his customers (specifically the little ones) for what to do next.

First came the request for Santa. So Chad found a Santa and hired him to be there on the weekends.

Per usual, the weather in December is a bit nasty and unpredictable. Chad felt bad that Santa had no cover from the weather. 

So Chad built him a cabin (and now the cabin has transformed into a drive-through Santa workshop).

Soon Chad had families driving from across middle Tennessee to view his lights. And one father asked one weekday evening about Santa. At this time, Santa was only there during the weekends. But after the conversation with the dad, Chad had Santa there every day.

Next, he added Frosty. First on the weekends and then every day per the request of customers. 

And finally, he added the Grinch which he brought on 7-days a week (he had learned his lesson). 

Gets better every year

Chad tries to add something new every year. Whether it’s Santa, Frosty, Grinch, or new exhibits, he’s always looking for ways to tell a better Christmas story and make the kids smile year after year (we parents appreciate it). 

A couple of years ago, Chad transitioned to LED lights (and he’s still slowly transitioning). Then it was the car-length mirror at the end for selfies. And this year it’s a large showboat similar to the General Jackson.

Powered by smiles

To say Chad is obsessed with putting on the best Christmas exhibit is an understatement. Throughout the Summer and Fall, you’ll find Chad building new exhibits and repairing damaged scenes.

After he finishes work or a random chore on the property, he retires to the barn to work on the coming season’s Christmas exhibit. 

And during the Christmas season, he’s out in the cold repairing exhibits damaged in the occasional storm and replacing burnt-out lights.

It’s a passion project of his. 

It’s no small feet

Chad’s Winter Wonderland has over 3 million lights. It’s hard to keep count of that many lights. Now, imagine setting up that many lights let alone taking them down. 

Most of us whine to set up a couple of strains of lights on our houses. I can not imagine setting up over 3 million lights.

Don’t even get me started on the light strains that all of a sudden stop working. 

Chad said it takes him approximately 3 months to set up the lights with help from his buddies. And a little over 1 month to take it all down depending on the weather (January can be nasty). 

Touching hearts

The stories Chad has from visitors over the years will bring a tear to your eye. 

Almost weekly Chad hears that a visitor came to the lights when they were a kid. And now they are bringing their kids through it. 

He has repeat visitors from Kentucky and surrounding counties. People drive for hours every Christmas to see Chad’s lights.

Some call ahead to make sure he’s still open and doing his thing. And when he replies “Come on over,” it’s hard not to crack a smile. 

While on the call Chad shared several stories of families who didn’t have much but one thing they always do as a family is drive through his lights. The smiles on their kids' faces warm their hearts for another year.

What to expect this year?

This year is something special just like last year and the year before. 

A common question is how long it takes to go through the exhibit. Chad said 20-25 minutes depending on who is in front of you. I agree. I’ve been guilty of slowing some cars down as my kids try to talk to the camel. 

Don’t forget to tune your radio to 88.3 FM to listen to classic Christmas carols.

Admission is $25 this year for a single car. It must be paid in cash. The concession accepts credit and debit cards.

Notable exhibits include: 

• Santa and Santa’s workshop

• The Grinch

• Frosty

• Concessions (more on this below)

• Car-sized selfie mirror

• Full choir 🙂

• Showboat similar to the General Jackson (NEW)

• Several animals including a camel, horses, donkeys, and an occasional duck

• Decorations from other countries (Canada, it counts)

• Decorations from the early 1900s

Weekends are sometimes more crowded and you may need to wait in line before going through the exhibit. 

Concessions

For those wanting a little treat with their lights, they have a concession that serves warm and cold treats.

Try their cinnamon bread and other snacks if you’re hungry. 

And enjoy a warm hot chocolate if it’s cold. 

They also sell keepsakes to cement the memory in your wardrobe with a hoodie or shirt and a place in your cupboard with a tumbler or cup.

Chad’s Winter Wonderland

Chad’s holds a special place in the hearts of many in Tennessee. I know it does for my family and I hope it’s still around for my kids to take their kids through it to keep the tradition alive.

Give them a follow on Facebook.

• Where: 791 E. Old Laguardo Road, Lebanon, Tenn.

• Hours: 6 - 10 PM daily,

• Open through Dec. 31.

• Cost: $25 per vehicle. Cash only.