Snoopy christmas display saved from foreclosure

Jim Jordan created a heart-warming Christmas display of Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" characters more than 40 years ago at his Southern California home, and it became a holiday tradition as tens of thousands of people showed up each year to see the sparkling extravaganza.

Families trekked to the Orange County suburb of Costa Mesa to sip hot apple cider and share the wonder as seen through their children's eyes amid twinkling Christmas lights, artificial snow and a Santa Claus that whisked through the air and down a chimney for spectators. It became so popular that busloads of visitors and school groups visited Jordan's childhood home each year.

When he lost the house to foreclosure, it looked like the death of a tradition — until the city stepped in to save Christmas.

A week ago, Costa Mesa officials offered to host the display on the lawn outside City Hall. The lights were turned on Tuesday evening in a ceremony attended by a large crowd of families toting toddlers and cameras. Santa is also attending the festivities and then will make nightly appearances Dec. 18 to Dec. 23.

Source: Guardian.co.uk