Overland Park family continuing holiday penguin display for charity
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — An Overland Park family is continuing a holiday tradition right in their front yard.
Joshua and Faith Owens of Overland Park are bringing the Johnson County Christmas tradition, Paulie’s Penguin Playground, to their home.
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For more than 20 years, Paul Craig of Olathe put nearly 150 inflatable penguins up as part of a holiday display. He welcomed families from near and far to visit for free.
Tens of thousands of people pranced through the family’s yard to take photos and enjoy the display.
Last year, health challenges and logistics led Craig and his wife Cindy to decide 2022 would be the final year for the display at their home.
In more than 20 years, visitors to the decked-out house helped Craig raise more than $103,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of his late mother.
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Now, the Owens family of Overland Park has brought the tradition to their home. The family expects to have the display ready for visitors beginning Thanksgiving night.
The new address is near 123rd Street and Antioch, in the Lexington Park neighborhood.
It’s tucked in a neighborhood behind St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church.
There has been pushback from people in the neighborhood. A spokesperson with the Lexington Park Homeowners Association Board of Directors says the family does not have permission to do the event.
Their reasons include not wanting traffic throughout the quiet neighborhood.
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Faith Owens tells FOX4 they plan to continue the charity component of the display, accepting donations for Type 1 Diabetes research.
The Owens’ have four girls between 5-13 years of age, one whom is a Type 1 Diabetic.
They also plan to donate a portion of the proceeds to a suicide prevention program.
Owens said they’re also partnering with Salvation Army for a drive-thru penguin parade December 15th through 16th at the downtown Olathe Salvation Army location, donation will benefit the organization as it helps people in need during the holidays.
