Michael and Shirley Esch's Christmas display dazzles with more than 15,000 lights, frolicking reindeer, twinkling Christmas trees and a 20-foot-tall inflatable Santa Claus.
But it's the celebrity guest list that makes the girls and boys squeal.
For the past 13 years, Santa and Mrs. Claus and a cadre of elves have made an appearance at the Esch home, visiting with children and collecting food and donations for the nonprofit 360 Communities.
The couple dress up as the Clauses one Sunday in December and host a neighborhood open house that, in years past, has had families lining up and down the block. Neighbors and friends play the elves.
They will host their open house from 5 to 8 o'clock Sunday night at their home at 1120 Aspen Drive in Burnsville.
With more than a handful of Christmas-light titles under their belts, they also are competing for Burnsville's top lighting prize. Winning is nice, but true success is measured a pound and a penny at a time.
Last year, they collected 1,200 pounds of food and nearly $1,000 in donations. The couple -- who own and run Custom Drapery and Blinds by Michael Esch -- host three charity events each year. They estimate they've collected more than 50,000 pounds of food and $10,000 in donations over the past 13 years. The Christmas open house is their largest.
"It's all about children and family. We love Christmas and we love the meaning of Christmas," Michael Esch said.
