Legal threats may dim beloved Christmas tradition in Gadsden County
A beloved holiday tradition in Gadsden County may be going dark.
After 18 years of lighting up Havana with their Christmas Spectacular at the Havana Christmas Tree Farm, the Allison family is facing legal threats from neighbors demanding they shut down their other popular display on Sandy Creek Road.
Citing traffic and emergency access concerns, three nearby residents say they'll sue if the show goes on.
"It's very concerning how this is all being handled," Thomas Daniel Allison told the Tallahassee Democrat in a June 2 phone interview.
"We're definitely open to compromise… but it's been a difficult situation with the neighbors — a lot of verbal harassment, text messages, and social media threats."
The show features seemingly endless strings of colorful lights set up in fashionable displays over homes and trees that twinkle and dance to the beat of Christmas music.
Allison, the creator of the light show, said attendees are required to stay in their cars unless they are dropping off donations. The family works with the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office to makes sure traffic flows smoothly.
Christmas is the family's favorite holiday and they consider the light show their outreach ministry. They have expressed excitement for the annual show in regular Facebook posts with countdowns, music debuts and other updates since January, when the 2024 light show ended.
Cindy Piotrowski, another neighbor speaking on behalf of the those who oppose the holiday display, told the Allisons on May 31 there could be three separate lawsuits: One against the Allisons; another against neighbors who allow set up of the show in their yard; and still another against their grandmother, Frances Rushnock, who also lives on the street and allows use of her yard.
A request for comment to Piotrowski on June 2 is pending.
Allison said the family is looking to find a compromise with the neighbors for a shorter schedule or a different road safety plan.
He hopes they can come to an agreement by June 15. If not, the show will be only be held at the Havana Christmas Tree Farm.
"This is God's show, and we do it with him at the core of all that we do, so we're just praying for him to lead us in the next steps and if that means a transition off the street over the next few years, then it does," Allison said.
"I don't think it would impact us one bit. It's just more of a matter of relocating. We're just grateful to have a backup location."
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Gadsden Christmas light show caught in legal crossfire with locals
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