Carter Hoagland, a local 20-year-old who goes all-out on the Christmas lights display at his home each year, has been named the winner of the Light Up The Tri-state contest. Hoagland’s display will stay up through New Year’s Eve, so there’s still time to drive by and check it out.
The house is located at 2451 Hillbrooke Parkway. The Christmas light contest, hosted by Townsquare Media, challenged Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana residents to submit photos of their display for a chance to win $500.
Hoagland developed a passion for Christmas lights at a young age. What began as a small hobby with his grandfather has evolved into quite the spectacle at his parent’s home in the Plantation Pointe/Brookhill Estates subdivision.
“It was really cool to win the contest because I didn’t think I had a chance,” Hoagland said. “The contest was centered in Evansville and had participants from Indiana and Illinois, but I knew I had to try. I got a call on Tuesday morning telling me I had won.”
Hoagland’s display features dancing lights, a giant Christmas tree and tree farm, Santa and reindeer, arches, a mailbox for kids to send letters to Santa, and more. Those passing by can also expect to see a walkway in the tree farm, a large “Merry Christmas” sign, the Grinch, fish jumping out of water, and Santa’s sleigh — all constructed by Hoagland.
Hoagland put his ideas to paper roughly 6 years ago and hasn’t looked back. His go-to Christmas wish is gift cards so he can begin purchasing additional lights for the upcoming year.
“I began sketching out ideas and drawings throughout the year and planning everything at both of their houses,” Hoagland said. “My mom and I would get up at 5 a.m. every morning after Christmas, and we would go get the discounted lights so I could plan for the following year. We got to the point where I had bought so much that I had to rent a storage unit to store the decorations.”
Aside from decorating his parents’ homes, Hoagland has converted his hobby into a part-time job. He decorated five homes last year, but after some media exposure his client list grew to over 20.
“I had several people reach out to my mom and myself to see if I had openings,” he said. “I did four homes on Griffith Avenue, some as far as Philpot and even Hancock County. It’s awesome that I can extend my reach and have others see the lights.”
Hoagland said he draws much of his inspiration from the many children he shares the lights with annually. He has aspirations to cover every part of their house and property and hopes to be on the Great American Christmas Light Fight television show in the future.
“I love seeing the kids play in the lights at night, and I think it makes people happy, which makes me feel good,” he said. “They will just hang out on the walkway and tell me which tree or decoration they like. We also have people who drive by and take pictures of it.”
