Concord: A 'Mr. Christmas' finale after 36 years

CONCORD -- Spectators stand in front of Bruce Mertz's house in collective awe, rapt by the handcrafted, suspended Santa in his reindeer-led sleigh that arches over the entire expanse of a modest home that has been a holiday light show of splendor for families for 36 years. Some are on foot, others are doing the slow drive-by.

Amid the outbursts of amazement at just how one man designed, built and installed all this was a somewhat somber feeling, as adults and children alike knew this is the final year to experience the extravaganza. Back surgery, a heart attack, a pacemaker and an admonishment from his cardiologist to stay off ladders prompted Mertz -- aka "Mr. Christmas" -- to decide this year would be the swan song for now second- and third-generation families to witness his animated handiwork at the Olive Drive house. The last day for the display is Jan. 2.

On Tuesday night,8-month-old Ayden Neyman got his first view of the display featuring a multicolor twinkler overhead, crafted with piano wire, and 70 twinkling holy leaves around the yard's perimeter -- each leaf taking Mertz five days to build.

"It's all about Christmas," says the infant's mom, Paisley Newman, among the legion of Mertz's fans that over the years have come from as far as Germany and Japan. "It's nice to see someone do it consistently ... It's sad to see it go."

The circuitry of star bursts and the laser light show on the garage door, with its animated Santa and messages of good cheer, were among the elements designed by Mertz, a retired electrician and Air Force veteran. As a civilian, he once was charged with coordinating all radio and radar frequencies for the U.S. Navy for Northern California, Nevada and Utah.

"It's mostly the beautifulness of the display. It's all well-placed and symmetrical. It's not tacky," says Mertz, 85, while sitting in front of his closed-circuit TV observing the outside crowd, explaining the show's appeal. He estimates it draws roughly 300 viewers each night.

It is the chance to chat with Mr. Christmas -- typically clad in his festive red illuminated jacket, mingling with those on foot around his house, giving out postcard pictures of his lights and explaining the behind-the-scenes artistry -- that 12-year-old Natalie Payne said she will miss the most.

For her father, Tom Payne, it's been the "fun of finding new additions" to the vast array. "We'll have lots of good memories," he said.

Lifelong Concord resident Chris Sudfin relishes "feeling like a kid again" when standing in front of Mertz' unique take on holiday magic, all run on six timers that turn on at 6 p.m. and off at precisely 10.

"I don't know how he does it," said his daughter Addison, 8. "My favorite part is everything here."

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Concord: A 'Mr. Christmas' finale after 36 years