December 4, 2002
Lanier County - Every Christmas, Calvin Fender transforms his family farm into a Winter Wonderland.
"We try to make 2-3 new things each year and this is where we've ended up," said Fender.
Fender and his mother-in-law, Julia Bennett, make their Christmas extravaganza from everyday household items - candy garland from leftover food containers, electric Christmas trees from tomato stakes, and illuminated deer from metal studs.
"He takes his metal 2 x 4's and just bends them and puts lights to them," said Bennett. "It's really a work of art."
And the result is an electric parade that lights up the small country farm for miles. Children from all over Lanier County watch the lights in amazement.
"It's pretty cool to look at all the shapes and sizes," said Joshua Fender. "My favorite thing is Santa Clause fishing fishing display."
"This is definitely something unusual that you don't see much of around here," said Samantha Bennett.
Fender says the looks on children's faces is his inspiration for the Christmas wonderland. He estimates it contains about 100,000 lights, and hopes to exceed one million by next year.
posted at 1:15 by ashley.harper@walb.com
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