The holidays are like no other time of year.  All at once, we get caught up in a whirlwind of activity…parties, shopping, decorating.  We eat a little more, play a little harder, and shop a little longer.  For residents of Southern Idaho, the holidays are also a time that even in the midst of all that frenetic energy, we slow down a bit too.  We take stock of what’s important in life.  We extend our generosity to those in need, we spend a little extra time with family, and most importantly, we create memories with one of my favorite things about the holidays…tradition.

I can’t hear Bing Crosby sing “White Christmas” without the memory of baking Christmas cookies with my grandma.  Homemade noodles and bingo on Thanksgiving are a tradition that my family has carried for more than five generations.  And now that I have a family of my own, my family has a new tradition that we look forward to every single year….seeing the “Southern Lights” (as my kids like to call them).  We bundle up in coats and mittens, and head out to Rock Creek Road.  You may think you’ve driven too far, but you’ll know the moment you’ve arrived.  Visible from the road, a Winter Wonderland awaits and you’ll think you’ve stumbled right into St. Nick’s backyard at the North Pole!

Roy and Sam Wojcik began lighting up their property over 20 years ago, and haven’t looked back since.  With the help of a holiday crew and about three months of set up time, the spectacular Christmas light display, known to some as “Royland” lights up the night sky with about 225,000 lights on an acre of land.  Visitors can park along side Rock Creek Road and walk through the display. Or, you can drive through in your car.

Follow the “Naughty” sign to visit “Bull” the camel.  The Mongolian camel has become a popular attraction at the display, weighing in at over a ton and happily munching on up to 40 pounds of carrots a night! (Bull even has his own Face book page!)

Follow the “Nice” sign and you might even spy Santa Claus and his elves handing out candy canes.  You’ll be dazzled with traditional favorites, and you’ll even notice a few surprises nestled among the trees.  In addition to the lights, an enormous Christmas Village that would make Norman Rockwell green with envy is nestled near the Wojcik home.

A peek in the guest book shows that visitors from near and far have come to drink in the Christmas spirit.  Wojciks are true examples of sharing the holiday spirit don’t charge anyone admission to the display and.  The lights turn on Thanksgiving Day and light up the South Hills until New Year’s Day.

Bull, the Camel is the sweetest cutest most popular Camel around!

Amy Bosh of Twin Falls says “What I love is to schedule it the day or so before we decorate our house and tree…I load up the kids, hot chocolate and my camera. We pile into the car and sing along with my favorite Christmas album-Amy Grant’s Home for Christmas and talk about what Christmas truly means. We always take our time strolling around the property, ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ over what they have added or changed. We take pictures and head home. The magic seems to stick with us and sets the tone for when we decorate our own home. The kids look forward to it each year and often say that they would like to add to our lights each season until, like the Wojcik’s house, ‘You will be able to see our house from SPACE, Mom!’

So this year, make sure to enjoy all the hustle and bustle of the season, and when you’re ready to unwind, load up the family and head to the South Hills to celebrate Christmas, Southern Idaho style.

To get to the light display from Highway 30 turn south on Rock Creek Road and follow the road until you see the lights at 2534 Rock Creek Road (about 18 miles SEE MAP)

Check them out on Facebook
Check out Bull the Camel on Facebook

Donations can be made on site to help keep the lights glowing.