Dec 10, 2004 By Jean Lohr For The 4 min read

MOUNT PLEASANT TWP. – Christmas was a special time for the late Harry Overly. It was not out of character for Overly to decorate the family’s rural property near Armbrust at Christmastime. His four children loved it. For 35 years – long after the children had grown – Overly’s holiday lighting attracted thousands of Westmoreland County area families.

Each year the display grew. More lights, animation and live animals were added, more friends and neighbors joined in the fun.

Early on, a visitor gave Overly a dollar.

“Give it to your favorite charity,” she said. Overly’s Country Christmas began.

Before long, the donations to the Free Care Fund at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and children’s medical services at Westmoreland Regional Hospital in Greensburg topped the $1 million mark.

But soon, the size of the displays and Harry Overly’s health became factors that could not be ignored.

In 1992, the light show spent a transition year at Idlewild Park near Ligonier, before finding a permanent home at the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds.

The Overly Charitable Foundation was formed in 1994. Before his death in 1996, Overly handpicked Stephanie Tomasic to be executive director. Tomasic had volunteered at Overly’s beginning in 1983 and worked side-by-side with him for many years. Overly died of leukemia Dec. 16, 1998.

Tomasic remains at that post.

“In 2000 we reorganized,” Tomasic said. “We brought in a pilot group of nonprofits and asked them what needs were not being met – asked them how we could help. They suggested we do something to reinforce the family, the adult/child relationship, which fit right in with the principals and values of our family-based organization.”

Family Moments was born.

Trisha Rhome of Bovard is a relative newcomer celebrating just her third season with the group. She, too, remembers riding by the Overly home as a child.

“This is such a neat opportunity,” said Rhome who spent time in the United States Marine Corps before finally making her way back to Pennsylvania.

“There are so many neat, creative people here,” she said. “We get to light up the night sky for seven weeks each year. It is so uplifting.”

She enjoys working with all the “wonderful” volunteers, but quickly admits that the Family Moments Program is why she stays.

“Little ones fascinate me,” Rhome said. “And the slate (of life) is not always even. The opportunities aren’t always there. I love being able to do the program each year with fresh faces – to watch their expressions and to make Christmas memories with them.

“Family Moments is part and parcel of what we stand for,” she said.

Facts about Overly’s Country Christmas.

The display features 2.4 million twinkling lights. If all the strands of lights were put end-to-end, it would stretch to Mars! (That’s Mars, Pa.)

The display lights 15 acres of the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds with five acres accessible to the guests through the Christmas Village and walk-through area.

The display draws enough electricity to light a small community of homes with every single light and electrical appliance turned on at the same time. The electricity used could turn on more than 100,000 100-watt bulbs all at the same time.

It takes up to 75 volunteers each night to run the display. Overly’s Country Christmas has nearly 1,000 volunteers committed to carrying on the annual tradition Harry Overly created nearly a half century ago.

Last year, a core group of volunteers accounted for nearly 40,000 volunteer hours. There are scores more volunteers who contribute mightily during the event, and at other times of the year.

What you need to know:

Dates: now through Jan. 2, 2005 (including all holidays)

Times: Sundays through Thursdays 5:30 to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 5:30 to 11 p.m. Wagon/sleigh rides and Kids Express Train, 6 to 10 p.m. daily.

Cost: There is a small cost per car or family van, limousine, extended passenger van or minibus. Group tours are available.