Rock Run Christmas Display Draws Controversy Ahead of Annual Parade

Rock Run, Ala. — An unconventional Christmas yard display along County Road 29 in Rock Run has drawn attention and stirred debate in the days leading up to the town’s annual Christmas parade.

WEIS Radio reports receiving multiple emails from listeners expressing concern about a holiday display located near Rock Run Baptist Church. The display, themed “Have a Killer Christmas,” features graphic imagery, including a skeleton seated on a throne surrounded by decapitated heads, as well as a scene depicting what appears to be the Grinch, assisted by skeletons, attacking a Santa Claus figure with an axe.

One WEIS listener wrote in an email to the station, calling the display “disturbing” and inappropriate, particularly given the upcoming Christmas parade that traditionally draws families and children.

“I am reaching out to bring attention to a disturbing Christmas display currently set up in Rock Run, Alabama on County Road 29,” the listener wrote. “The scene depicts Santa being killed by the Grinch and includes multiple decapitated female heads. This is extremely inappropriate and disturbing, especially with a Christmas parade scheduled for this Saturday where many families and children will be present. This type of display has no place in a family-friendly community event, and it’s troubling that children may be exposed to such violent imagery during the holiday season. I hope this can be addressed quickly for the safety and well-being of this community.”

Another listener also contacted WEIS and provided photos of the display. While expressing concern, the listener acknowledged that the property owner has the right to display items on private property. That individual also noted that such a display might not draw attention in larger metropolitan areas such as New York City or Detroit.

Rock Run, Alabama, is a much different community.

In response to the concerns, WEIS Radio visited the location to view the display in person and reached out to the property owner, Nathan Roberts, who agreed to speak with the station. According to WEIS, Roberts was welcoming and open during the conversation, and very kind.

Roberts explained that there is no specific story or message behind the display, describing it simply as an expression of his personality. “It’s just who I am,” he told WEIS. Roberts said he is a longtime fan of Halloween-themed décor, skulls, and skeletons, and emphasized that his intention was never to offend or frighten anyone.

He explained that he typically puts up a large Halloween display each year and thought it would be fun to extend the Halloween theme into Christmas by incorporating some of his favorite décor elements into a holiday setting. Roberts said the idea was to mix the two holidays in a unique way.

When asked if he understood why some people might find the display offensive or inappropriate, Roberts said he did understand those concerns but reiterated that causing offense was not his intention. “It is just who I am. I am a Halloween person,” he said.

Roberts noted that the initial objections to the display did not come from the wider community, but from within his own household. He said he had planned to put up the display last year but decided not to after his wife raised concerns, particularly about how children might feel about it. Four children live in the home, and his wife asked him to consider their reaction.

According to Roberts, after discussing the idea with the children, he found they were enthusiastic about it. He said the children enjoy the display and even helped him put it together this year, which ultimately led him to move forward with it.

Roberts said he wanted to do something different and “mix it up a little.” He added that he shared photos of the display on Facebook, where he received largely positive feedback, with people commenting that they liked it. He said that while he understands others may disagree or complain, it does not bother him that people hold different views.

Much of the concern expressed to WEIS centered on the impression the display might leave on visitors coming into town for the annual Rock Run Christmas Parade, a popular event that attracts attendees from across the region. Roberts confirmed that while his property is close to the parade staging area at Rock Run Baptist Church, and nearly within sight of it, the parade route itself will not pass directly by his home.

In recent years, Christmas displays have frequently been at the center of broader free speech debates, particularly involving public displays on city property or decorations that some feel runs contrary to community values. Roberts said that despite the attention the display has received through WEIS, no one has approached him directly to complain.

As Rock Run prepares for its annual parade, the display has become a point of discussion within the community, highlighting the ongoing balance between individual expression and shared expectations during the holiday season.

https://weisradio.com/2024/12/07/rock-run-christmas-parade-20th-year/