QUINCY, IL -- It's the most wonderful time of the year, at least for one local couple.
Quincy natives Rob and Theresa Edwards got married in 1980.
At that time, Theresa gave Rob a few pieces to start a miniature "Santa's Village" inside their home.
Now almost 30 years later, that village has turned into a expanding metropolis, with 300 pieces to the Edwards' name.
Christmas has always been Rob and Theresa Edwards' favorite time of year.
Rob Edwards said, "We enjoy Christmas. We know Jesus has come to save us. We celebrate his love for us. That's how it got started when we got marred in 1980."
The Edwards' go all out decorating their home, inside and out. But this massive Santa's Village is what separates their decorations from others'. The village has grown to 300 pieces. It includes everything from a Walmart, grocery store, library, school, TV & Appliances store to help villagers with the digital switch over and several churches to support all faiths.
Sounds like you don't have to go very far to get what you want in this village. Rob Edwards said, "No, not at all."
Health care access is an issue, though.
Rob Edwards said, "I'd like to add some more houses or a hospital or a doctor's clinic and stuff like that."
But that hasn't stopped this Santa's Village from urban sprawl. It has a 0 percent foreclosure rate, and good village leadership doesn't hurt either.
Who is the mayor of this village? Edwards said, "I am." And Theresa, are you an alderwoman? Theresa said, "Yes!"
On a serious note, this village has become a tradition for the Edwards'.
Theresa Edwards said, "We go out, because we just love to do it. We love to make people happy. It's peaceful to us." Rob Edwards said, "Our kids expect it every year. A couple of years ago when I was in the hospital, I wasn't going to set it up, and my son said, 'dad, you've got to!' We just wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We know it's been a tough year for everyone."
A lot of those village pieces were Christmas presents for Rob over the years. It takes the Edwards' about a week to set up the tiny, yet massive village in addition to putting up other decorations throughout their home.