We ventured to the outskirts of Chilton Friday night in search of a little Christmas magic, and found it twinkling merrily like Rudolph’s nose through a foggy night.
Troy Campbell has been hosting his expansive village for 14 years. Like the best Christmas stories, his North Pole Christmas Village began humbly.
In 2009, he set up a small display in his front yard and waved to people as they passed by, which they did with increasing cheer. We were lucky enough to visit back in 2016.
Since then that magical display has grown exponentially. In fact, it outgrew his yard, his town and the whole Fox Valley. Four years ago the display moved to the Chilton area. Today, it winds through several rooms inside a farm outbuilding, and involves a beautiful outdoor display.
We waited in a line no one minded on a warm winter night. An elaborate train set up enthralled the youngest member of our trio and kept him occupied until it was our turn to see the indoor displays.
Such magic! Such nostalgia! Such art! We felt like we had wandered right into the Macy’s Christmas window displays of our childhood.
It was such a cool juxtaposition of modern technology and sweet memories.
I half expected Burl Ives to roll in as a snowman singing “Holly Jolly Christmas”.
We highly recommend a visit to the North Pole Christmas Village. Admission is free, though there is a box for donations. There is a bakery and gift shop and the Big Guy himself waits patiently for vistors at the end of the tour.
The site is open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Mondays right through Dec. 23.
For more information (including directions), you can check out the North Pole Christmas Village website.
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