Comstock: Christmas Lights Capital

By Tim Trudell

COMSTOCK - You may not think a town of 100 in the middle of Nebraska - miles away from the state’s largest cities - is a must-see attraction in winter, but if you’re a holiday decorations fan, Comstock is a must during the Christmas season.

The town’s holiday celebration grew from a simple house decoration about 10 years ago. Henry Nuxoll put up colored lights on his quaint house and displayed inflatable characters in his front yard. A few days later, a package was dropped off anonymously at his door. So, he displayed an inflatable Santa Claus and reindeer on the roof of the house. Then, everything took off!

Over a 30-day period, more than $3,000 worth of lights and inflatables were delivered to his house. Locals apparently thought he was the person who could bring a little Christmas charm to their community. So he and a few volunteers decorated Comstock for the holidays.

Today, about 20 city blocks – about 90 percent of town - are home to more than 400 inflatables, 40 themed scenes, and a mile of holiday lights. As you enter Comstock, you’ll see inflatable characters playing a baseball game at the town’s field. Of course, Santa Claus is the pitcher.

“We have Mickey Mouse characters, Minions, and Grinchville,” Nuxoll said. “We have 77 snowmen in a garden that we call ‘Snowman’s Land.’”

Beyond inflatables and lights, Comstock’s holiday décor includes 50 buildings featuring holiday cutouts, as well as 25 clocks positioned on light poles, each set at midnight, just in time for Santa Claus’ arrival to the central Nebraska community, located about 76 miles (1.5 hours drive) northwest of Kearney.

Comstock’s Christmas decorations have few rivals. You’ll find Santa Claus relaxing in a hammock while another appears to be pushing a lawn mower. And knowing he could take a few pounds off his classic round figure, Santa is seen working out on an elliptical machine. A white metal fence is home to hand-painted plywood figures such as Santa Claus, angels, and snowmen, as well as a nativity scene.

While Comstock’s population has dwindled over the years from a high of about 400 before the Great Depression in the 1930s, locals recall car dealerships that once did bang-up business, Nuxoll said. A few vintage automobiles are located around town and are decorated for the festivities.

It takes about four weekends to prepare the town for the kickoff of the holiday lights festival, which starts the Friday after Thanksgiving and runs through Jan. 1, Nuxoll said.

Despite its location, Comstock is a holiday draw, attracting about 1,000 people each weekend. Volunteers have at least 300 bags of candy and popcorn to hand out at the town’s health club each weekend night.

A drive through Comstock allows visitors to relax and get away from the challenges of daily life, Nuxoll said.

“The whole meaning behind everything here is that it’s a tough old world and they can enjoy things as they may appear in the Afterlife,” he said.

While Comstock may be known for its holiday lights, for almost 25 years it has hosted an outdoor country music festival a few miles outside of town. Attracting up-and-coming stars, it’s featured acts like Brad Paisley. For about three days each summer, thousands of country music fans braved summer sun and heat – and a few thunderstorms – to enjoy daylong entertainment.

Second Wind Ranch, north of Comstock, has one of the largest collections of vintage windmills in the Midwest. Consider grabbing dinner in Sargent, a 15-minute drive. The Rescue Bar and Grill’s menu includes burgers, sandwiches, wings, and salads. Corn nuggets and onion rings are excellent choices for an appetizer.

You may want to combine your drive through Comstock’s holiday lights with a visit to Kearney, making it a fun weekend. Kearney is home to attractions such as the Museum of Nebraska Art, featuring unique artwork created by Nebraska artists, and The Archway, a museum that stretches across Interstate 80 and offers a look at the westward movement of Euro-American settlers in the 1800s and modern travel along US Highway 30 – the Lincoln Highway – which was the first transcontinental highway in the United States, constructed more than a century ago.

As you make your way to Comstock, know that you’ll be experiencing a holiday light display that few larger cities can match. The commitment of locals to volunteer their time and create an island of holiday decorations in the middle of the Midwest is an act of love for people and the holiday season.