'I'm ecstatic': Oskaloosa neighbors excited for new addition to Christmas light display

OSKALOOSA, Iowa —
Oskaloosa neighbors are getting excited for the newest addition to the city square's vibrant light display.

Jeremiah Maudlin, a Christmas light artist, is building a $14,000 display consisting of 35,000 lights, all synced up to Christmas music.

Maudlin said he had a massive light display at his house for six years. More than 8,000 people came to his house last year.

"Year after year, I kept just buying little things moment by moment," he said. "I've built fire cannons that shoot flames 18 feet into the air."

Maudlin's newest project all got started when Vicky Collette reached out.

Collette is the chair of the Golden Goose Club — a local group dedicated to supporting various town projects.

"I was asking around and telling people, you know, does anybody know of a light show like this anywhere?" she said.

That's when one of her friends connected her with Maudlin back in August.

One neighbor said he can't wait for the display to light up for the first time.

"I'm ecstatic about these new lights that are coming up because I can't wait to see them," John Parker said.

There's even a way for the public to help select the songs the lights will be synced to starting on Thanksgiving night.

It's as simple as visiting a website.

"All of the votes that happen on the website between now and Thanksgiving night will just be queued," Maudlin said. "So basically, the top winning votes will be what plays first starting on Thanksgiving night, and then it'll just enter in a random rotation."

The display will light up for the first time Saturday.

There will then be a show every night between Nov. 24 and Jan. 3.