By Jacob P. Wells, Alvernia Community News Lab
Photo: angelicavaihel for Pixabay
The Kozier family farm had a special Christmas tradition that started 76 years ago by William M. Koziar. Over time it transformed into one of the most breathtaking lighting and decorative holiday lightshow spectacles that many are willing to see even in the coldest weather.
But people may ask, why does this place exist in the first place?
William M. Koziar, a doctor, decided to start decorating the family farm in 1948, for his wife Grace Koziar, and their 4 children. As time passed and more decorations were put up, visitors who loved seeing their hard work, coined the home as “The Christmas House.” He also decorated the surrounding lakes, trees, fences, and buildings all around their property. What made this place special was that every year, William would change the layout and the decorations to keep things fresh and exciting.
Over time, more visitors came from even further away to visit The Christmas House and see the impressive decoration display. By popular demand, William decided to open their family farm for people to come inside, thus evolving into what we now know as Koziar’s Christmas Village. With the exponential success of Koziar’s Christmas Village, the third and fourth generations of the Koziar family have kept the spirit alive for more than 75 years. The farm has become a Pennsylvania icon and is considered a true treasure, it was even once featured by the Today show.
When you first enter the village, you are greeted by a big, arched sign that reads ‘Koziar’s Christmas Village’ in neon green and red. Occasionally under that sign you can see couples kiss for a memorable photo. At the time of the author’s visit to the farm, it was a chilly, windy night and leaves fluttered and scattered across the walkways, crunching under foot. Despite the cold, there was still a cozy feeling seeing the decorations with relaxing Christmas music playing over the speakers.
Visitors are layered up with festive winter clothing, and lights surround you from all directions with the Christmas color palette of classic red, white, and green. Along the walkways, candy canes line the way and families with children watch miniature trains chugging away along their tracks with a small village model underneath. All the children were in awe of these models, pointing to show their parents with excitement.
The more you walk around, the more variety of decorations can be seen everywhere you look. Some decorations displayed popular characters including Dora the Explorer, Elmo and Friends, The Grinch, Charlie Brown, Garfield, and Rudolph. Along the winding walkways were sheds offering charming peeks of Santa Claus’ workshop, a mailroom full of children handing in their letters for Santa, a mini-ice rink with skaters, and a nativity scene of the infant Jesus with Mary, Joseph, onlookers, and animals. You could even hear a faint bell ringing in the distance combined with the quiet ambience of people walking by and sipping hot chocolate with casual conversations.
The faint smell of churros, nachos, pizza, and hot chocolate beckoned from the snack building. The village also features shops including a toy store filled with stuffed animals, action figures, and even RC vehicles with remotes. In one of these shops, a very special visitor visits with children – Santa Claus himself!
After taking in the scene, it is truly a memory to be treasured for years to come. One anonymous employee was willing to share their experience and the farm’s history in a way that reflects Koziar’s Christmas Village as a whole, “The determination of a doctor who loved decorating for the sake of putting smiles of everyone witnessing it as they walk through the essence of Christmas.”
