Columbiana County Career and Technical Center welding instructor Michael Boyle’s class along with horticulture instructor Joshua Ludwig is assisting the city of Columbiana with its annual Joy of Christmas Lighting Display in Firestone Park. From left, Boyle and students Cole Clemens, Logan Noel, Braden Schwartz, Austin Watkins and Randi Murphy pose in front of a smartTV displaying a photograph of the Cousin Eddie RV display they created for the 2025 Joy of Christmas light show. The welding students also are working on repairing aging light displays and making new pieces for upcoming seasons. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

COLUMBIANA — When the Columbiana Area Tourism Bureau turned to their teen team to revitalize its annual Christmas light show, the students looked to Cousin Eddie for the assist.

Students at the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center not only provided the CATB with some much needed repairs to their aging lighting displays but also the new display celebrating National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with some electrical work courtesy of the horticulture class.

This time last year, many regular visitors expressed disappointment about one of their missing favorite displays — a train.

As Michael Clark, who co-chairs the Joy of Christmas effort, explained, members of the CCCTC’s Welding/Fabrication program worked on making those key repairs, so it once again could be on display in the park in 2025.

In addition to making fabrication fixes on the train and six other existing displays, the welding class teamed up with the horticulture folks to create Cousin Eddie’s ride.

While Ludwig admitted that his duties this year so far were limited to wiring and electrical work on this new display, he said the Joy of Christmas crew has asked his class to oversee the actual landscaping work outside their new building that will house the displays in the off season.

Next up for the welding/fabrication class is making lighted arches to go over paths leading to both the Gingerbread House, where most of the children’s programming is hosted, and the Ice Castle occupied by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

However, it must wait because they are waiting to receive some of the materials needed to bring it to fruition, Boyle added.

Overall, Clark said that response to this year’s display has overwhelmingly been positive, and he hopes to see the partnerships continue.

Currently, there are more than 80 light displays that make up the Joy of Christmas’ inventory and he hopes to see that number grow.

The Joy of Christmas Light Show is held within the confines of Firestone Park, 298 E. Park Ave. in Columbiana. The cost is $20 per vehicle for one trip through or $40 per vehicle for a season pass.

To learn more about the light show, visit tourcolumbianaohio.org or the CATB’s social media presence on either Facebook or Instagram for more time sensitive updates.