News photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Wednesday, Earl Lewandowski's home in Alpena is seen decorated with Christmas decorations. Lewandowski said that the public is welcome to take pictures with his hand-made sleigh at anytime.

ALPENA — Residents of Northeast Michigan have turned their yards into arrays of color and holiday cheer that offer passersbyes a taste of the Christmas season. There are enough houses decorated in just the Alpena area to warrant a night-time drive to see them.

Thunder Bay Transportation Authority (TBTA) Executive Director Angie Fox said that TBTA will host their Christmas Lights Tours tonight, Friday, and Saturday. Tours last 45 minutes to one hour and costs only $1 to acquire a seat. Boarding times are 5:45 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 7 p.m on all three of those days.

Fox said that the tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis and TBTA will have hot cocoa available at the facility on U.S.-23 North. She said that some Christmas guests may make an appearance, as well.

She added that parking is limited so she suggests patrons car pool to the event, if possible.

Fox explained that they’ve hosted Christmas Lights Tours at TBTA since 2018, though TBTA may have skipped a year or two since then.

“We feel that we want to give back to the community,” Fox explained, in regards to the tours. “We have provided this service for a cheap fare to keep the people in the community moving.”

“They look forward to the tour,” she added.

Earl Lewandowski, located at 818 Tawas Street in Alpena, has expanded upon his Christmas decoration set-up this year and invites the community to stop by and take photos on his hand-made sleigh.

“This year, the biggest thing I added was a full-sized Christmas sleigh out in the yard,” he said. “The public can take pictures with it.”

He said this is his third year decorating his house for Christmas and added that this is his way to bring Christmas joy to community members no matter how they are faring during the Christmas season.

Lewandowski explained that he did not get to celebrate the holidays some years growing up, nor did he always receive presents, but seeing Christmas lights and decorations while on bus rides to school still made him feel included.

“I continue to do it as an adult, because growing up and seeing Christmas lights … it still felt like being part of the Christmas season,” he said.

Lewandowski stated that his display offers a way for community members, who may be struggling financially this year, to enjoy Christmas festivities without spending money.

“It doesn’t cost any money,” Lewandowski said. “It’s something free people can do to celebrate the Christmas season.”

He added that his display is usually fully lighted from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. The sleigh is available at any time throughout the week for the public to interact with.

Below are also a few residents in Alpena who would also like to invite the community to drive by their homes to view their Christmas decorations, as well.

– Emily Coffey at 834 River Street

– The Urbanski House, Tony and Diane Urbanski, at 1080 Memory Lane

– Darbie Ross at 510 June Street

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.