What's New at Widmer-World's Holiday Lights Display?

It begins in July. Bob Widmer starts designing and preparing for the annual gigantic holiday light display that will eventually take over his front and back yard during the month of December.

The rigorous set-up process starts in September and takes four months to put it all away after New Years, according to Kim Eicher, Widmer's daughter. 

Eicher says this may be the best year ever at Widmer-World.

"We are always trying to improve and add new things," Eicher said. "We will have a scavenger hunt and a new light show in the front. We try to add and change things every year. This year we added height to our displays. So look up, you might see something you would have missed. We also have activities for the kids like the scavenger hunt. We have hidden items through out the yard to find. We started this for the kids, but many adults enjoy the challenge. Some items are very easy to locate, while others items are more difficult. Fun for the entire family."

[Related article: Widmer-World's Holiday Display Lights Up Pleasanton]

According to Eicher, her dad, a retired software consultant, makes all of the wooden displays and moving carousels seen in the yard of her parent's home in the Fairlands area of Pleasanton.

"Dad's first major display was the large wooden reindeers and sleigh, Santa and Mrs. Claus in 1980," Eicher said. "Since then he continues to add new items every year. First it was just the front yard, then we added the side yard. It has been at least 10 years since we started decorating the back yard."

The holiday vignettes for this season include penguins in the Arctic, Widmer Town, KnexTown, Beanie Babies, Santa & Mrs. Claus' dinner, reindeer training camp and the miniature golf course, which Eicher says is used by their family during the summer. Widmer told Patch during an interview in 2012 that the front display is all computer programmed to music. Eicher says the full clean-up after Dec. 31 is usually finished around April.

Widmer-World is and always has been a family affair comprised of a tireless crew of Widmer's children and their spouses, grandchildren and a few close family friends. 

Donations are accepted to help offset the cost of providing free pictures with Santa and the presumably hefty PG&E bill. According to the Widmer-World website, any extra donations over the costs of electricity and St. Nick are forwarded on to the family's favorite charities.

Just how much is the electricity bill for Widmer's fantastic lights exhibits? Only Widmer knows for sure, although in a previous Patch article, he did offer a hint.  

"I never tell anyone about my bill but think thousands," Widmer said.

Widmer-World, located at 3671 Chelsea Court in Pleasanton, opens on Dec. 1 and will run every night until Dec. 31. Eicher says Santa Claus will take time out from his busy holiday schedule to visit Widmer-World for complimentary photos on Dec. 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22. There is no charge to visit Santa.

Look for the Widmer family in the Pleasanton Hometown Holiday parade parade on Dec. 7. The Widmer clan has been in the parade every year since 2010.  Click here for the Widmer-World website. Follow Widmer-World on Facebook.

Have you been to Widmer World? How many years have you visited? Tell us in the comments section below.