A 2013 graduate of Warren Area High School, Card wanted to give back to the community. Card graduated with a Bachelors in Accounting from Pitt Bradford and is an accountant at PGE (Pennsylvania General Energy), as well as co-owner of AM Tax Services. Growing up he always enjoyed helping his dad decorate the outside of the house during the Christmas season, to a much lesser extent. He loves sharing the Christmas spirit with the community and beyond so it’s no wonder that he plays Santa Claus alongside a cast typically made up of 6-8 characters during the three nights they appear. The number of characters varies depending on who can make it each night. A visitor may see Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, Frosty, Abominable Snow Monster, Ralphie in the pink bunny suit, Cousin Eddie from National Lampoons Christmas, or a very big Gingerbread Man. The faces behind the characters aside from Michael Card as Santa are his father Mike Card, sister Ella Card, Uncle Terry Card, cousin Chase Card, cousin Lydia Card, and friends of the Cotner Family who drive from near Williamsport to participate. Many of his friends have also stepped in the past few years to dress in character.

Card has been doing this light display for the past five years. The COVID-19 pandemic inspired the idea to spread more joy and the live display features old and new characters which sparks a sense of nostalgia. Inspiration also came from Jeff Bartsch, who is known for his huge display on Central Avenue in Warren. Both have radio stations set up for Christmas music to be playing for the guests to enjoy.

When the live display started there wasn’t anything quite like it in Warren County. It was a way to keep the holiday cheer during the peak of COVID. People could drive by and enjoy the display and roll down the windows to talk to the characters as they drove by if they chose to. The amount of people that come to view the live display grows each year. Approximately 95% of the decorations are blow molds, none are inflatable. Some are as old as 60 years and others are newer. Card has traveled to places like Cleveland and Home, Pa., to add to his collection. For all that wonder where he stores it all, he manages to fit the many figures in his basement and attic.

Last year there were 800 people during just one of the nights of the live display. Card starts setting up his display in mid October and does most of the set up himself along with help from his father, Uncle Terry, and friends. There were 200 characters on display in 2020 and that has grown to 300. Even though the electric bill goes up approximately by 25%, Card continues to add to his collection. All bulbs have been replaced by LED bulbs to cut back on energy.

Santa Claus waves as some Christmas characters are pictured in the background.

To enjoy the Cards’ display, drive west on route 6 and take a right onto Mason Road, where the red Starbrick Family Church sits and then turn left onto Green Avenue, to drive right through the center of the 2 yards that have been set up for the past five years. Guests can drive through or take a stroll through the yards, grab a hot drink and even warm up at the warming pole.

Card enjoys cheering the Buffalo Bills on, racing his go-kart on area dirt tracks, hunting, and fishing. The lights are turned on at dusk every night and get turned off around 11 p.m. There will be two more opportunities to watch the Cards Live Display with the cast of characters interacting and spreading Christmas cheer in Starbrick on this Saturday, Dec. 20, as well as Tuesday, Dec. 23, both evenings from 6-8 p.m. The display will be lit up through New Year’s Day.

A part of Michael Card’s Christmas display in Starbrick is pictured.

A visitor to Michael Card’s Christmas display is pictured.