Sawyer’s Santa Land in Marshall showcases hundreds of inflatables, intricate wood cutouts, and twinkling lights, celebrating the display's sixth year. (Contributed Photo)

MARSHALL — For six years, Sawyer’s Santa Land has been spreading holiday cheer at 831 Calloway Road in Marshall.

The free Christmas walk-through features over 400 inflatables, 100 wood cutouts, thousands of lights, and a heartfelt mission to bring joy to every visitor.

The event is spearheaded by Nick Brown and his family, who dedicate their time and resources to creating a magical experience.

Every child who visits receives a free toy, a tradition that began in 2020 during the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I wanted to bring a little joy to kids because you never know — that toy might be their only gift for Christmas,” Brown said.

The toy giveaway has become a hallmark of the event, with 95% of the funding coming directly from the Brown family.

This year, volunteers from Blue Cross Blue Shield joined the family to help with setup, which takes roughly two months.

On weekends, Brown transforms into Santa himself, greeting families, handing out candy canes, and listening to children’s Christmas wishes.

He recalled a particularly moving moment from 2020, when a young girl grieving the recent loss of her mother found solace in talking to him as Santa.

“She hadn’t talked to anyone until then,” Brown said, “That moment reminded me why I do this and why I’ll keep doing it as long as I’m able.”

Sawyer’s Santa Land is open nightly, weather permitting, from the weekend after Thanksgiving through the first weekend of January.

Hours are 6–9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6–10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Looking ahead, Brown hopes to establish Sawyer’s Santa Land as a nonprofit to attract more support and help even more families.

“I don’t think any child should wake up on Christmas morning without a gift under the tree,” he said.

Despite juggling a full-time job in Shreveport and the effort required to organize the display, Brown remains dedicated.

“It’s all about love,” he said. “We try to make every kid feel special, to feel loved, because not everyone gets that every day.”