WENDELL - Will a "Wendell Wonderland" Christmas event be the attraction that draws visitors and new businesses back into the heart of the town?

That is a question Wendell leaders will ponder as they consider bringing a nationally known light show into town.

At last week's meeting, the town board heard from Don Williams, who created a synchronized music and lights show that has drawn thousands of visitors to his home on Lake Myra Road over the past decade.

Williams proposed moving the annual event off his property and into Wendell Park beginning in 2012.

Williams told board members how he started the light show and how, over several years, it grew and spilled onto neighbors' yards and stopped traffic.

"In 1954, there was a kid who loved Christmas lights who told his dad it would be nice if the lights flashed," Williams said. "His dad said that was never going to happen.

"That kid got a windshield-wiper motor and set up his Christmas lights to switch on and off, making flashing lights. That kid was me, and I still love flashing lights."

A growing reputation

Williams said while working with a friend in the 1990s, he was able to create a system of flashing lights for his home decorations.

By 2002, they had created a light show totally controlled by computer to synchronize the lights and music.

That was also the first year people stopped their cars in the road to see the lightshow.

Williams said by 2004 he was attracting more cars, and his neighbors were asking to get in on the light setup.

By 2007, the lights were spread over three lots, and the computer system wirelessly coordinated the show, which included snow and fog machines with the lights and music.

The Christmas lightshow received local and national media coverage that year, he said.

Williams said 2010 was his biggest year, estimating 60,000 people visited the light show.

While preparing for one last year at his home - the show runs from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day - Williams wants to find a new location where the event can continue to grow.

Commissioner Christie Adams, who met Williams while filming the Christmas display for East Wake TV last year, said Williams contacted her about moving the show to downtown Wendell.

"He came with the idea to move within Wendell in 2012," Adams said. "I suggested a site in the park along and just behind the tennis courts. It's not used a great deal. It could work well.

"It brings thousands (of people) to the area every year. But I don't see very many people experiencing downtown Wendell or greater Wendell. They are in Lake Myra and gone."

Adams said the town could create a winter festival in concert with the light show.

Economic impact?

Williams wants Wendell merchants and residents involved in creating an event to build on the light show.

"I have a vision of Wendell becoming a Christmas experience," he said. "It's a perfect town; if you look down Main Street, think of it lined with lights. The economic impact could be staggering. People will want a place to eat, to buy gas and, if they can, buy gifts."

Bob Wagner, owner of Collector's Corner and organizer of the Downtown Merchant's Initiative, spoke in support of Williams' proposal to move the light show into town.

"From the moment I first heard of it, I didn't need convincing," he said. "This could be a 'Wendell Wonderland.' It could spur interest in Wendell. Whatever you can do to spur it, I'm all for it."

Commissioner Carol Hinnant directed town staff to begin looking into how the town could work with Williams to bring the light show to Wendell Park.

"There are not any of us who would say this is a bad idea," Hinnant said.

"We need to (look at this) and come back with a plan, how to get traffic in and out of the park. I suspect in their minds they've got it all laid out."