Pelster Family Decks More Than The Halls Each Christmas

​An Albion resident is decking more than the halls during the Christmas season. 
 
For several years, Delmer and Dee Pelster go above and beyond to turn their home into a sight to be seen on 11th Street. 
 
“It started about 25 years ago.  We started pretty small with just a few things, and then I kept adding and adding,” Pelster said.  “My wife got me a controller. That was the highlight of it all. That made it dance with the music. And now we’re like this with lots of lights.”
 
With 30 blow molds, five inflatable characters, several homemade displays, and 30,000 Christmas lights, the Pelster residence is a sought-after sight.
 
This year, the Pelster family also added the Griswold’s family RV from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. 
 
“It takes me 10 days to set it all up.  A lot of 16-hour days. I fix the lights at night and put them up during the day in the light.”
 
Pelster said his 12-foot Frosty the Snowman is his favorite display.   
 
While Pelster has accumulated several displays at different auctions over the years, he has also crafted some of his own. The gingerbread house and the moving Ferris wheel are two of the displays he as made.
 
“We had a big reel out at work, and I thought it would make a great Ferris wheel. It took me a couple months to build it.”
 
Some of the displays have a special meaning for the Pelster family.
 
“The wooden reindeer and angel made by Dee’s grandfather. We put them out every year to honor him,” Pelster said.
 
Pelster said his motivation for doing this each year is making people happy.
 
“The kids love it.  The biggest reason I did it was for my kids at the time.”
 
Beginning of December, the Pelster family opens up a Christmas event to the community.
 
“We have Santa Claus come. My daughter takes pictures. We have horse and buggy rides. We did it a couple weeks ago.  It was a pretty good turnout,” Pelster said.
 
Pelster said he was excited to have more than 80 kids come out this year.
 
“Just to see the expressions on the kids’ faces.  I let them walk through the lights – anyone is welcome to walk through the lights.  They get their picture taken with Santa and get a bag of goodies.”