It’s no controversy that Christmas lights are a staple of the season. Whether it’s a simple string of lights on the roof, or a series of characters that span acres, the skills and artistic ability regarding Christmas decor have been seen in everyone from the rich and famous to the average suburban dad.
One family—now living in Jenks, but with strong ties to Sapulpa—have done such an amazing job with their Christmas decor that they’re literally competing with other families across the country to win a cash prize and a coveted trophy.
Ben Sumner, who lives with his family in nearby Jenks, Oklahoma, will be featured as a contender on this year’s hit TV Show, The Great Christmas Light Fight.
The episode was taped in 2019, before the pandemic was in full force, but Kringle’s Christmas Land was a big deal before then.
Starting as an attraction in Promenade Mall in 2015 through a partnership with Macy’s, Kringle’s Christmas Land was a hit for several years before Macy’s closed. Sumner then brought the displays back home to Jenks, where he’s continued to show off his hobby, centered around his love for all things in Christmas past. The majority of his display pieces—of which he has over 500—are vintage mechanical pieces that were found in not only Tulsa, but bigger cities like New York and Chicago. “We have pieces from all over the country right here, in Jenks, Oklahoma,” Sumner said. “It’s great, because a lot of the traffic we get is from the grandparents who remember seeing those pieces when they were kids, and now they’re bringing their grandkids to come share in that experience.”
Ben says his love for Christmas runs deep and long. “I asked my dad for a life-sized vintage Santa Claus when I was six,” he said. “He found it at a Tulsa flea market, and that’s what started it all.” Now in his mid-thirties, Ben says he’s been collecting regularly for at least the last 15 years. “If I hadn’t been on ‘The Great Christmas Light Fight,’ I’d have been on ‘Hoarders,’” he laughs. “The inside of my house looks like organized chaos.”
His love for Christmas nostalgia and decor he attributes to his mother, GerryLynn. “My mother has been my right-hand elf,” he says. He’s also recruited his sister and his niece as part of the endeavor, and says it’s not uncommon for them to be up at strange hours, putting up decorations and singing Christmas Carols.
Ben Sumner and his family started the lights on their display on December 1st and immediately began drawing a crowd and drive-bys. Their display puts an emphasis on vintage mechanical pieces from New York City. Kringle’s Christmas Land features a life-sized Nativity Scene, Santa’s Workshop, and more. Located at 12520 S. Date Pl. in Jenks, the Sumner family’s attraction, called “Kringle’s Christmas Land,” was so popular that it drew the attention of ABC last year for the Great Christmas Light Fight.
“They reached out to me in the summer of 2019,” Ben says. “Said they’d found me on YouTube and would I like to be in their show. I love the show—I really do, I’m not just saying that—but I never thought that anything I’ve ever done was big enough to be on their show.”
Even so, the invite was there, and host Carter Oosterhouse showed up on his doorstep. Next thing you know, this community-wide specialty is now going to premiere around the world.
All six of the one-hour episodes will feature four families with unique displays competing against one another for the coveted Light Fight trophy and a $50,000 cash prize. The Sumner family was chosen through an extensive nationwide search based on previous displays, incredible choreography, and over-the-top designs.
In the episode, you’ll hear Ben talk about Sapulpa being the family’s original hometown, and how his great-grandfather, Matt Sumner won first place in the Sapulpa Daily Herald’s annual Christmas Lighting Contest in 1947. The Herald’s story described the competition as “the finest in the history of the contest,” and that Sapulpans could be proud of their city, which once again “out-did itself in beautifying.” The Sumners won $25 in prize money at the time. Their display depicted Santa arranging gifts near the Christmas tree and fireplace mantle, while his sleigh and reindeer waited outside on the lawn.
Ben’s grandfather owned Sumner Wrecker, and his father was an officer in the Creek County Sheriff’s Department until some time in the 80s, when he purchased the wrecker business from his father. He eventually opened Diamond Jim’s Jewelry and Pawn in Tulsa, and has been running it ever since.
Ben’s desire to share the Christmas spirit with the world comes from his own experience and understanding of Christmas as a child. “For as far back as I can remember, my mother had a nativity scene on the fireplace mantle, and we all knew what Christmas was really about. If I can give even a fraction of that experience to someone else, then that makes it all worth it.”
The show officially taped last year, but Kringle’s Christmas Land is open this year and guests are still welcome to visit. Because of a Jenks mandate, masks are required. Get more information on their Facebook Page: Kringle’s Christmas Land. The episode featuring the Sumner family will air on ABC KTUL Channel 8 locally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Wednesday, December 9th, 2020, at 7:00 pm.
