Bright Country Lights pushes on despite repeated weather challenges

High winds and three weekends of snowstorms have made setting up the Bright Country Lights display in Prairie City a true challenge this year. Even so, the organizers of the home light display — which is open to the public in the evenings — have conquered these feats and are eager to see visitors.

The wind gusts leading up to Thanksgiving were hard on the Christmas lights display located at 8930 W. 109th St. S. in Prairie City. Facebook posts from the Bright family said much of what was set up at that time was destroyed. Coupled with the incoming snow, the family was running out of manpower to rebuild.

Bright Country Lights received a fair amount of assistance from fellow community members. By the end of the first big snowstorm, many of the lights were fixed. Now they only needed to wait for the snow to melt so the walking paths were clear of drifts. Organizers were hopeful the lights would be ready.

By Dec. 6, the light display was finally open. But then another storm rolled in. The second storm brought in more snow than expected, covering the paths with impassible drifts. The Bright family was apologetic in their social media updates, but the community understood their predicament. They were buried in snow, too.

Again, the light display received help from community members. The family said an individual came all the way from Newton to clear a path, letting the display be open to the public shortly after. Despite the weather-related hardships, the light display got a shoutout from the Iowa Road Trip Facebook page.

“We are so honored to be featured, and even though we wish we had more lights up, we’re thrilled to share the holiday cheer with everyone,” the Bright family said.

Appearances from the Grinch made it feel like the display was back in business.

But, again, another snowstorm arrived to ruin the fun on Dec. 13. And just like before the Bright family was assisted by a community member with a snowblower to create paths for visitors. Forecasts show milder weather with very little — if any — snow accumulation. Christmas Day may even be in the 50s.

Bright Country Lights will be open to enjoy on Christmas Day as well. Like any night, visitors can stop by to walk the paths between 5 and 7:30 p.m.

The light display will be up until January.