Epic Kids, December 2022

BRIGHT IDEA

Nicholas interviews light impresario Sammy Pratt.

Photos courtesy of Pratt Brothers Christmas & Holiday Spectacular

Igot to meet one of the brothers behind the Pratt Brothers Christmas & Holiday Spectacular and winners of the ABC show, “The Great Christmas Light Fight.”

When I met Sammy Pratt, he inspired me. And I hope sharing his story will inspire you also.

When Sammy and one of his brothers, Kyle, were in high school, they asked their mom to hire people to decorate their house with Christmas lights. She said, “No, but you can do it yourselves.”

And, so, they did.

For seven years, Sammy and Kyle created a Christmas light show at their home. Friends, neighbors, and strangers came to visit their masterpiece. They even created a train in their garage.

However, 2022 was the first year they did something different, launching their spectacular in Mesa.

I asked 24-year-old Sammy why he was passionate about creating a winter wonderland. Sammy said his favorite

childhood memory was visiting Disneyland during Christmas; it brought him and his family much joy, even during difficult times. His favorite ride was “It’s a Small World” and, at a young age, he was inspired to create something magical.

“It means so much seeing kids enjoy our labor of love. Kyle and I mesh our styles and constructed an awesome, beautiful thing for everyone to enjoy,” he says.

On top of a successful first year of the Pratt Brothers Christmas Spectacular, Sammy says winning the TV competition meant so much to him. In fact, he told me to “Always dream, never give up, and keep pushing forward. And that it’s okay to be different and color outside the lines.”

They won $50,000 from the TV show and are putting it towards more magic for Arizona kids. I got a heads up on what’s next for the brothers, a family-friendly Halloween experience come October (with a spooky haunted option for thrill-seekers).

Nicholas Bubeck is a monthly Epic Kids columnist and CEO of creationsbynicholas. com. Follow his epic journey on Instagram @creationsbynicholas.