Zanesville Christmas tradition coming to an end

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – A Zanesville tradition that has been going on for three decades is coming to an end.

Since 1986 Thurman Drake has been lighting up his Chandlersville Road home and opening it up to visitors. He said that his Christmas light display started with much more humble beginnings.

“I was born on an old-poor farm and we made all of our own stuff,” said Drake while remembering his inspiration for his Christmas lights. “And I’m kind of a tinkerer so it wasn’t hard to make them. I always wanted to and then when I got a little money and my own lot I began to make my own light displays.”

This will be the 88-year-old Drake’s last year putting up his display of over 30,000 lights. Each year hundreds of visitors head down State Route 146 to see his home lit up. Drake said he never gets tired of the guest coming through his yard.

“I’m a people person so I like people. I love seeing the expression on people’s faces. Especially the little ones. On Christmas Eve we’ll give out candy canes and we give out 300 to 400 candy canes that night,” said Drake.

Christmas Day will be the final day that Drake will have his lights on at 1718 Chandlersville Road.