The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Huntsburg man loves brightening up holidays
Adds expertise to Berkshire Hills Christmas Light Park project
If you weren’t quite ready for the holidays to be here, think of Rodney Nagy.
If you weren’t quite ready for the holidays to be here, think of Rodney Nagy.
He’s had to concentrate on Christmas just about 24/7 since the spring.
The Huntsburg Township resident is the mastermind and manufacturer behind the 40 displays that will bring to life the new Berkshire Hills Christmas Light Park, opening. Nov. 23.
“We have a small salvage grocery store, but this project has been full time since May of this year, so I have been juggling both,” said Nagy, 53. He and wife Christina have four children, all of which have helped with the major undertaking.
Nagy is working on behalf of friend and fellow St. Helen Catholic Church parishioner Walter Miraglia, owner of Berkshire Hills Golf Course in Chester Township. Miraglia had a dream of creating a destination for families at Christmas time and is investing in transforming the 1.25-mile drive through the 240-acre golf course into a winter wonderland.
Nagy was introduced to Christmas lighting by helping his father and others with displays at General Electric’s Nela Park.
The new park will involve 2 million LED lights, each computer chipped and synchronized to Christmas music, accessible at 99.9 FM Bethlehem Hills Radio. Displays include a Christmas Carnival, Candy Cane Village, an elaborate Nativity scene, Salute to Our Armed Services, Toyland and more.
Nagy not only is creating the props, but he also did the original business plan, laid the course to add the infrastructure improvements, hired electricians to run all of the conduit, ordered lights directly from the manufacturer in China (there are none in the United States), and hired workers to help with the construction and wiring under his watchful eye.
“Most people think it’s just Christmas lights; throw them up and, poof, it’s all done,” he said. That misconception led to a lag in the start time on the project, among other delays.
When investors provided the green light, he got busy in his workshop — as well as living room — designing the props with daughter Justina.
The process entails forming the raw materials into various shapes, painting the props, installing lighting, soldering data and power runs, then testing at home and again at the park.
His favorite part is the sequencing done with a computer program called xLights (also his vanity plate inscription).
“This is where the show comes alive,” he said. “I choose an appropriate song, set the beat and then start putting appropriate effects to the music, trying to bring out the proper emotion of the song with the correct effects and color, as color conveys feelings. It takes literally hundreds of hours to do just one song.”
While there are other drive-through light parks, this one boasts one-of-akind displays and an ideal landscape, he said.
“There are many turns allowing for me to create anticipation, elevation changes to give you a full experience, ponds which are very picturesque — eventually I am going to have fountains dancing and lighted to the music — and a beautiful Manor House,” he said.
Among the unique displays will be a ‘flying’ Santa, suspended 40 feet in the air on a custom cable system and moving much like a ski lift chair over two fairways.
“You will not see that anywhere (else),” he said. “There are many plans in my head and on paper for future expansion to give people a new experience. I can also give them a new experience every night by changing up the music and sequencing the show. … For example, maybe Sunday has traditional songs and expresses a traditional Christmas. Then maybe a more upbeat Friday night with newer songs, we could do a tribute night for military personnel etc.”
In spite of the time commitment needed for this labor of love, he still takes time to sing with the family in the church choir. He also enjoys traveling, when possible.
Miraglia has likened Nagy to a mad scientist.
“This guy is unbelievable,” he said. “Some of the displays he’s building would cost thousands of dollars. There’s nothing he can’t do.”
Berkshire Hills Golf Course is at 9760 Mayfield Road. The light park will be open through Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 24 and 25). Hours are 5 to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 5 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
Admission is $25 per car, which includes a program with local coupons as well as a $10 coupon toward a Christmas tree at Santa’s Workshop on site.
No motor coaches or vehicles 9 feet or higher are permitted.