It was a big night in Ellsworth Saturday.

Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted hundreds of visitors to the Fourth Annual Christmas on West Charlotte.

The event has grown over the years, with houses lit up for the holiday. Residents of “West Charlotte Street and Beyond” throw open their neighborhood for a community celebration that was perfect even in a pandemic. It’s easy to social distance when you’re walking the beautiful stretch of street to check out the incredible displays, with Christmas music playing and neighbors greeting visitors with cookies and cocoa.

There were fires set up for warmth. But watch out for that Grinch! He’s always up to something.

“He jumped out from behind a car and scared the dickens out of me,” one visitor said.

Deb Wright – also known as Mrs. Claus – and husband Dave and neighbors started adding decorations annually when the idea was hatched by a neighbor to invite visitors to donate toys to Shriners Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Donations are also accepted to the Pierce County Food Pantry and a fireman’s boot was set out for donations for the Ellsworth Fire Department.

“About four years ago, we thought we’d have a little celebration. Tammy, who lives across the way, thought it would be a good idea to donate to the children at Shriners. So, we’ve been donating toys and collecting for the food pantry and fire department.”

Here’s the understatement of the holiday season for this neighborhood!

“We all have a love of decorating for Christmas,” Wright said, “and what it means and the spirit and the joy it brings to everybody. And so, we just thought we’re going to extend it to the whole community. Whoever would love to come and have a cup of cocoa and a cookie, and it’s just expanded every year.”

More and more people are decorating and joining in. Every display gets a little bigger every year,” said Becky Lane.

How much time does it take to decorate?

“From Halloween on,” said Wright, pointing to her husband, or as he’s known at Christmas on West Charlotte, Santa. “We still have stuff up in the attic. I told him he couldn’t bring anymore down.”

With how great this neighborhood looks and the smiles on the faces of kids of all ages gazing at the displays, we bet Dave gets his way and gets more of those displays out next year!