Christmas is that time of the year when many turn their thoughts and hearts towards
giving to those with less – something not far from the hearts of the Pahl family.
Every year for the past 15 years, Stevan Pahl has enjoyed putting up Christmas lights
for one and all to enjoy. The lights have continued to multiply each year until
last year, December 2010, when they caught the eye of KOMO Channel 4 TV news. At
that time, a news crew made their way from Seattle to Maple Valley, filmed the brightly
lit display and featured it as one of Steve Pool’s Parade of Lights houses.
Lighting up the house seems to be in Pahl’s genes as his 80 years young grandmother,
who lives in Mission Viego, CA, puts up approximately 13,000 lights each year all
on her own. This year he figures he is close to 110,000 lights – along with a number
of displays tucked in here and there amongst all the lights.
Currently he has 14 circuits dedicated to the huge display – which takes a whole
year of saving in order to pay for the electric bill alone – as well as replacing
any lights that go out. Then the day after Christmas, Pahl is out purchasing more
lights for the follow year’s display.
When asked about how long it takes to set all the lights, he just chuckled. Being
one of those great procrastinators, Pahl began working on this year’s project just
10 days before Thanksgiving. Then somehow with a full time job, he managed to put
another 10 hours a day into setting the displays for one and all to enjoy. While
his 9 year old son gave him some assistance this year, he looks forward to the day
his son is old enough to be an even bigger helper.
Along with giving the community a wonderful display to enjoy each year, this year
(as in the past) the Pahl family has set out 4 big box containers that they enjoy
watching the community fill up with packaged food items for Northwest Harvest –
which also supports our local Maple Valley Food Bank and Emergency Services. So
far this year alone, the family has turned in 3-24 gal. bins brimming full of food
– and they look forward to giving more.
The Pahl family display can be viewed 5:15-10 p.m. weekdays, and 5:15 p.m.-2 a.m.
weekends until New Year’s. It is located in Maple Valley’s Cherokee Bay at 22011
SE 269th Pl.
Pictured: Cherokee Bay’s Pahl family is lighting up the Christmas season with lots
of beautiful lights in addition to touching the lives of those in need by gathering
food for Northwest Harvest.
