After his wife was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, one Montebello, California, school teacher made the “most difficult choice of [his] life” to walk away from his livelihood in order to take care of her, a choice he says led him down a new path to spread joy in his community.
“It’s like a special calling ... something I need to do to share with the Arcadia community,” longtime resident James Val told The Epoch Times.
Val has had a long history of showmanship in his life. Before teaching fourth-grade and intermediate-level children at Fremont Elementary and Montebello Intermediate schools in the Montebello Unified School District, he starred in a number of movies including “Pork Chop Hill,” a 1959 Korean War film starring Gregory Peck.
By 1985, however, Val said he “fell in love” with teaching and decided to pursue the path full time. It was there that his elaborate set decor began.
Over the years, Val successfully combined his two passions through writing and producing more than 30 productions at his schools winning multiple awards throughout his 20-year career. He additionally built intricate stage sets for each play.
When he retired from teaching to care for his wife, Val continued his love for creating intricate sets, this time during the holidays by decorating the exterior of his Arcadia home.
He said doing so helps him keep his mind off things.
“This is my way of fighting [my wife’s] disease,” Val told The Epoch Times.
Beginning in mid-July each year, Val starts working on each December’s design, which has attracted spectators from all over in the past two decades.
This year, his design includes a giant Santa Claus flying in a sleigh led by four large reindeer, affixed to his porch as if actually flying through the air. In the background, Val has Christmas music playing through speakers.
Adding to the spectacle is a fully decorated tree on his lawn, accompanied by falling fake snow.
Families continue to stop by to view the scene in growing numbers each year, Val said. Some have even begun referring to Val as “The Christmas Hero,” he said.
“It’s so exciting and thrilling for me to meet new people every year,” he said.
Val enters his holiday display in the city’s holiday decoration competition, as allowed every four years. He won in 2012, 2016, and 2020, and he “looks forward” to entering again in 2024.
