'The Christmas Truck' Delivers Christmas Cheer to Waukee

Santa Claus has a sleigh led by a red-nosed reindeer. Kris Marshall has the Christmas Truck.

That's right. The Christmas Truck.

The Christmas Truck is a small pickup, a 1988 Chevrolet, covered in strings of Christmas lights — some 70 strands of them. It's bright enough to lead Santa's sleigh should Rudolph take a sick day. Heck, you could even say it glows.

Marshall, the truck's owner, says he's been rolling out the Christmas truck since 1987. That first year, after transporting lights to a church function, he decided instead to deck his ride in brightly colored bulbs, and that's the way it's been every Christmas since.

"I don't think I've missed a year," said Marshall of Waukee. "We've been pretty consistent."

Every December, folks might catch a glimpse of the Christmas Truck as Marshall drives it to and from church, the grocery store or just on a ride around the city. The lights that cover the vehicle from hood to tailgate are hooked up to a gas-powered generator in the back. Marshall says the generator keeps costs down to a minimum. New lights — at about $35 to $50 each year — are the biggest expense he incurs.

So what do onlookers think of the light show on wheels?

"People seem to love it," said Marshall. "I'm always getting people following me. It runs the gamut. Sometimes I'll pull up to a light and look over to the car next to me and there will be three or four kids with their faces up against the glass. That's just priceless."

Marshall says he'll continue to pilot the Christmas Truck as long as he can.

"It's been a lot of fun," he said.