Tough financial times shut down Christmas display

For the past couple of decades Dave Bahnsen has become known for his jolly house on Valley View Drive in Coralville.

“We usually have 100 Santa Clauses displayed and a lot of animation, and we have three trains in the yard going usually,” said Bahnsen.

But this year things are very different for Bahnsen and his wife, Roxanne.  The normally active and hard working couple, both lost their jobs.

“We just couldn't put it up financially, we were really tight, and couldn't afford the extra extension cord at the time,” Bahnsen said.

For the first time in 20 years, more than one hundred of Bahnsen's Santa's will spend Christmas in the basement.  Something the 50-year-old said isn't only hard on him.

“I watched for a period of over 90 minutes and 45 cars came by,” he said, “They'll just come up, read the sign, it'll him them, and they'll drive away.”

But Bahnsen said slowly times are starting to change for the better, as he recently started another full-time job.  He even said he hopes to have the lights back on by next year, but he wont make any promises.

“There's a good chance we will be back, and I think it will happen next year, we'll see how things go,” he said.

Valley View Drive will still participate in this weekends “Aisle of Lights” festivities.  Luminaries will be lining the street from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. this Sunday night.