Nov 27, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A well-known Christmas lights display that has bounced around New Mexico for the past 20 years, is now back in Albuquerque, where it began.   The bright lights, known as the Bugg lights, will soon twinkle once again on the corner of Hoffman Drive near Pennsylvania Street and Menaul Boulevard. "The merry-go-round, the Ferris wheel, the penguins—all the original stuff they will see that when they come," said Jared Bugg, the grandson of Nathan Bugg, who started the display. The history of the Bugg lights actually goes back decades. It was 1971 when the Bugg family first put up the festive display at their home in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights. After its popularity exploded and neighbors complained about the crowds, the display went dark in 2001.  Story continues below Larry Barker: Rail Runner rubbish: Taxpayer’s stuck with $8M price tag Trending: Lawyers: New Mexico man receives largest medical malpractice payout for botched penile injections News: APD gears up for holiday shopping season by debuting plan to fight retail crime Business: Intel in Rio Rancho receives $500M to expand facility From there, the display traveled throughout New Mexico from a Santa Fe shopping center, then to Albuquerque's Menaul School, and then to Belen's Harvey House Museum before it landed in its own museum in Belen.  When that museum closed last year, the Bugg family decided to bring the lights home. "This is a lot of work. But getting to see the joy on kids' faces and the people driving by and saying 'thank you' for bringing it back," said Bugg. The family said the collection has grown over the years, presenting a few challenges.  For instance, the handcrafted penguins have had to go on the roof.  Bugg said he's hoping this tradition can stay and grow. One neighbor said she was happy to see the lights return. "We're just all excited; it's beautiful," the woman said. It took the Bugg family over a month to get the display up and running.  They will officially turn all the lights on this Friday around 5 p.m. and will keep them up until the new year. 
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