‘My heart is breaking.’ Here’s why you won’t see the Ludy Christmas Light Spectacular next year
The Columbus tradition called the “Ludy Christmas Light Spectacular,” which raises thousands of dollars for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, won’t be conducted next year and possibly ever again.
Jerry Ludy announced the news in a Facebook post Wednesday.
“This has been a very stressful and tiring year for me,” he wrote. “I have to take a year off to regroup and make a serious decision whether to continue the following year.”
For 22 years, the Ludy house on Ironstone Drive, has been a must-see for folks who enjoy touring neighborhoods to view Christmas lights. The display has more than 250,000 lights synced to holiday music.
Because of the fundraiser’s uncertain future, Ludy wrote, “I want this year to be our largest DONATION for Make-A-Wish ever. We are currently behind on our collections from this time last year. We really need anyone that could give a little more this year, to please come by and donate.
“I really would like to finish this season providing Make-A-Wish with the donations that will bring joy and happiness to a child in need. Open your hearts and pockets to make a wish come true.”
Then he thanked those who have supported this effort through the years.
“Anyone that knows me personally, knows that my heart is breaking, and tears in my eyes, to write this message,” he wrote. “I love each one of you and all of you that have become my close friend. God has Blessed me with each of you. PLEASE come by and donate from your heart. Let’s pass that $25,000 mark this year. Remember what I have always said. ‘It is not always about the lights. It’s about the Memories the lights create in every child and child-like heart.’”
This is the 13th year the Ludy display will raise money for Make-A-Wish, said Jennifer Robinson, the charity’s Columbus area advisory board chairwoman. In the previous 12 years, the display has raised more than $140,000.
The fundraiser has grown from $1,100 the first year to more than $25,000 last year, Robinson said, amounting to one-fourth of the local chapter’s 2018 total.
“Though we’re awful sad to hear that he needs to retire from the Ludy Christmas possibly,” she told the Ledger-Enquirer, “we won’t do anything but love him for what he’s done for Make-A-Wish.”
The average cost of a wish — such as visiting Disney World or becoming a mermaid or kissing a penguin — is $10,000, Robinson said. So the Ludy display has helped bring to fruition the dreams of approximately 14 children battling a life-threatening medical condition.
And some of those Wish kids have been motivated to volunteer and help with the display, she said.
The L-E didn’t reach Ludy before this story’s deadline for him to further explain his decision. Robinson, however, provided some insight.
“The last few years have been incredibly expensive (for the display) with mechanical and electrical problems,” she said. “… The main electronic system has been struck by lightning a few times and failed others. Everything he does is out of pocket. He pays his own power bill, and we can only imagine what that is in December.”
For a list of Christmas light displays in metro Columbus, click here.
This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 2:24 PM.
