HOLTS SUMMIT -- For some people, it would not be Christmas without a toy train racing around a Christmas tree.
The owners of a Holts Summit hotel have taken that tradition one step further.
Toy trains racing around a room at the America’s Best Value Inn Hotel in Holts Summit are just one part of a massive collection. Arthur Kristofik has been collecting toy trains for 47 years. This is the 8th year for his annual magical Christmas train display.
“The people, when they come, are just amazed and thrilled," Kristofik said. "They just can’t believe the complexity and all of the animated objects that are out there. It is just tremendous.”
Arthur changes his Christmas village a little bit every year. He started putting this year’s display together back in August. The display all started with one train going around one Christmas tree. Today, there are six trains going around an entire Christmas village.
Many of the items featured in this year’s 16 foot by 24 foot layout were painted by Arthur’s wife Kathy.
“The kids just love it," Kathy Kristofik said. "Sometimes they don’t even want to leave. They cry and they cry. We have a lot to see in here for Christmas. It’ll make you happy.”
The Kristofiks said more than 10,000 people have stopped by their hotel to see their Christmas train display over the past seven years. Arthur said it’s his way of sharing Christmas cheer, while trying to stay young at heart.
“I’m just somebody who has never grown up,” Arthur said.
The America’s Best Value Inn Hotel Christmas train display is free.
It’s open to the public Thursdays through Sundays from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. between now and Christmas Eve.
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