There is a Christmas display in Edgecomb which would even make the Grinch’s heart grow three times its size. The Fuller family has erected a “Whoville village” display at their River Road home based on the 1957 children’s book written by Dr. Seuss and 1966 television Christmas special, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

This is the first year that a village along with “Whovillians” and the Grinch’s lair has appeared in Edgecomb. Last year, Heidi Fuller created wooden displays of Cindy Lou, the Grinch, and the Grinch’s dog Max, for Edgecomb’s Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Decorating Competition. Last year, her 6-year-old daughter Audrey attended kindergarten at Edgecomb Eddy School, which participated in the contest. 

Heidi Fuller decided to expand the village from a few key characters to a full-fledged village for this Christmas season. Her husband Barrett Fuller indicated earlier in the year he wanted to clear brush and trees on their property. This led to the family deciding a “special Christmas” display would be ideal for the newly cleared spot. Heidi Fuller drew inspiration from a favorite Christmas holiday television special featuring the heartwarming story of how the Grinch who despised Christmas grew to love it. On Christmas Eve, the Grinch stole all the Christmas presents in Whoville  homes and witnessed the residents still find Christmas spirit even without their presents.

Heidi Fuller has seen both the televised special, which debuted 54 years ago, and Jim Carrey movie, released in 2000. “I love them both, but the colors and ‘funkiness’ in the TV special really stand out.” Heidi Fuller is not the only “Grinch” fan in her home. Audrey Fuller loves the Christmas story and prefers the TV version, too. “I like it ’cause of all the bright colors,” she said. 

The “Whoville village” creation was a family effort. Barrett Fuller cut out the wooden figures after his wife painted the displays. At night, “Whoville” is lit by Christmas lights strung through holes drilled into the displays.