B.C. couple creates their own Dr. Seuss-inspired Whoville in their backyard - Action News
Home WebMail Saturday, November 23, 2024, 10:24 AM | Calgary | -12.0°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
British ColumbiaPhotos

B.C. couple creates their own Dr. Seuss-inspired Whoville in their backyard

"Its not just the kids. Its the adults that come here and they have themselves a great time, too," says Westsyde resident Randy Adams about the tribute to How the Grinch Stole Christmas! he built with his wife Sue.

Tribute to How the Grinch Stole Christmas! welcomes all, the tall and the small

Sue Adams and her husband Randy have created their own version of Dr. Seuss' Whoville. (Jenifer Norwell/CBC)

A Kamloops, B.C., couple has brought themagical spirit of Christmas into their backyard in a big way with a homage to Whoville, the town in the classic Dr. Seuss taleHow the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Sue and Randy Adams started building thedisplay on their Westsydeproperty two years ago. It recreatesthe fictional townpopulated by the whimsical, kind-heartedWhos,whom the Grinch attempts to steal Christmas from.

The page out of Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas of all of the Whoville citizens holding hands around a tree
Whoville is the fictional town at the centre of Dr. Seuss' children's book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The book has been adapted into film several times. (Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!)

Sue says the elaborate display is a chanceto be a kid again.

"[We thought] let's enjoy each other and let's do something for the kids," she said.

Withcandy canes made from pool noodles,hand-painted replica Who-houses, and a giant decorated Christmas tree, the Adams'little Christmas village has only become more ornate as time has passed.

Randy Adams cuts the figures out and his wife Sue paints them. (Jenifer Norwell/CBC)

"We decided last year that we maybe wanted to put some houses in the yard," Sue said. "Then my husband said, 'I think I want to build street lights,' and that's when he really got on board."

"I cut it all out and she paints everything," Randy explained. "According to her, it's not finished yet. It's going to grow again next year."

The Adams' decorations have only become more elaborate over the years. (Jenifer Norwell/CBC)

This year, after consulting their neighbours, the Adams decided to open their backyard to the public for the first time. Anyone can stop by after 6 p.m., with admission by donation of a new or used book for Literacy Kamloops.

On Friday and Saturday nights, Sue and Randy dress up and screen the television version of the book on the side of their house.

Sue said her favourite visitor was a child who walked in and sat quietly in theglow of the film.

"He came in, sat down, saw the movie playing and I don't think he moved for half an hour," she said. "He was just in his glory."

For Randy and Sue Adams, their backyard Whoville is a chance to be a kid again. (Jenifer Norwell/CBC)

That makes it all worth it, Randy says.

"It's not just the kids," he adds."It's the adults that come here and they have themselves a great time, too."

But Sue says you won't spotthe lime-green anti-heroof the children's talehere.

"We've tried to stay away from the Grinch because, as we all know, the Grinchdoesn't live here [in Whoville]," she said. "For us, it was just, let's have a peaceful place. Let's have a magical place."

Listen to the segment on Daybreak Kamloops: