MERNA, NE - Visitors from near and far have been enjoying the Christmas lights and inflatable display at Cuzn Eddyz Campground in Merna again this year. Now in its fourth year, the inflatable count recently eclipsed 230.
Cuzn Eddyz Campground owners Dave and Annette Downey took a moment to talk with KCNI/KBBN last week about the four year journey toward what the display looks like now. The challenges, costs, and learning experiences along the way have been numerous including fabric maintenance through sewing, motor and light replacement wiring, and even how the inflatables are staked down.
As Annette's most recent purchase inflated on the floor in their office, Dave explained the reasoning behind setup being a little different than most inflatables you might see.
Visitors will notice that fiberglass stakes with sliding carabiners hold down the inflatables, rather than the common string system they come with. Using the stakes allows them to inflate faster and be held more secure.
"..then I put those dowels behind the motors and zip tie the motors to them so they don't lay there. If it rains, that one year we got that rain storm a couple years ago and they laid there and then froze and she turned them on and it just ruined a pile of motors because they just burned up, they couldn't turn because they were froze," explained Downey.
A tote storage system helps with organization, and each year during setup more motors are replaced and more thread is sewn. Setup is a family affair as stakes go in the ground, thousands of feet of cord are strung, and lights are checked as well.
This year's display features a camper covered in lights, an angel-topped 55 foot tall Christmas tree, a full nativity scene, Santa in his sleigh pulled by his reindeer heading toward the sky, and much more. Each grassy area next to a campsite pad holds a different theme, and visitors over the years each have their favorite.
If you plan on visiting in the days ahead, you are encouraged to visit the Cuzn Eddyz Facebook page before leaving for Merna to see if the display will not be up due to weather conditions.