Each winter, families enjoy Oakland’s glowing Christmas light display with heaters running and kids singing their favorite songs from the backseat. What most don’t see is the effort behind the sparkle or the people who make it happen year after year. Quietly and consistently, two individuals have been the steady hands behind this beloved tradition.
This month, we shine a light on those who rarely seek it themselves: our Unsung Heroes, Paul and Tracy Browning.
They have never sought recognition as the faces of this tradition. Instead, they have remained the hands and heart behind it, keeping it going for over 27 years.
Back in 1999, Paul and Tracy were dating and often found themselves talking about how Christmas no longer felt peaceful. The stress of spending, decorating, traveling, and meeting expectations had started to eclipse the original message of the season: the birth of Jesus Christ and a time centered on love, generosity, and togetherness.
Instead of letting the feeling pass, they decided to turn it into action. Paul took the lead on organizing the first event by raising a modest amount of money. He specifically remembers sitting in Bernard’s office at RidgidPly Rafters and shared his thoughts. Bernard believed in the idea and wrote a check. Other businesses soon followed with small donations.. Paul’s pastor at the time, skilled in woodworking, built a large illuminated Bible display. Paul coordinated local musicians to perform for five nights at the pavilion in the Oakland Town Parking Lot.
That first year was brutally cold, with the pavilion having no walls and no heat. Still, somewhat surprisingly, people showed up. That turnout confirmed that the community was craving a moment to connect and simply be together.
The following year, the event moved indoors to the Oakland Armory, now the Oakland Community Center. Over time, it grew into five evenings of
free performances each December. Churches stepped in to provide free meals. Volunteers handled logistics, food service, scheduling, and setup. Performers donated their time and often gave away hundreds of their own Christmas CDs.
Paul and Tracy made a very intentional decision early on: everything is funded in advance, so families could walk through the door free of charge.
When the Town of Oakland began exploring a drive-through light display in 2015, the Brownings saw another opportunity to serve the community. Through Paul’s company, CHIPS Network, Inc., a large animated Christmas tree was added to the lawn of the community center. When COVID made indoor gatherings impossible, the Brownings shifted their energy and resources to an outdoor production without hesitation.
What followed expanded the reach of the event far beyond its original scope.
While the indoor performances saw several hundred attendees each night, families now streamed through the parking lot, from dusk to 11:00 PM, for over a month to watch the dazzling light display.
Today, the light show has grown and features more than 150,000 individually controlled lights, animated characters, synchronized music, and interactive elements. Planning begins months in advance, often as early as January, with scripts developed, music recorded, 3D layouts designed, and choreography programmed before physical installation begins in the fall. Paul and Tracy remain closely involved throughout the entire process.
Paul is quiet and methodical; Tracy is more so. They solve the problems before most people realize there is one and, and together, their leadership is calm, thoughtful, and rooted in service.
When thanked, they redirect credit to volunteers, sponsors, and the community. All their efforts have always been about sharing the true meaning of Christmas.
Tracy was born in Medina, Ohio, and has lived in Garrett County for most of her life. She began working in Oakland as a teenager, later earning her degree from Garrett College. When their daughter Skylar was born in 2009, Tracy became a full-time mother and homeschool educator, a role that extended naturally into managing online groups that promote local events and homeschool activities. Her work continues to strengthen connections among families and community members, often quietly and behind the scenes.
Paul was born in Oakland and raised in Deer Park, beginning his working life as a teenager just as Tracy did. He holds degrees from Frostburg State University and West Virginia University and currently serves as president of CHIPS Network, Inc. in Oakland. He is also Pipe Major of the Garrett Highlands Pipes and Drums, an auxiliary unit of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department, further embedding his role in the cultural fabric of the community.
Both have chosen to remain in Garrett County because they love the place where they grew up and the people who shape it.
As someone who once worked for Paul, I’ve witnessed a side of him few people ever see — the late-night planning, quiet problem-solving, steady stress, and deep care from two people who never chase recognition. What stands out just as much is how he treats the people who work for him. Paul invests in his team, recognizing their dedication with experiences and opportunities few ever expect to receive. At his core is a simple conviction: if something is worth doing, it should always be done with integrity.
“Lots of people tell me that the light show has become an annual family tradition,” said Browning. “Several families have dinner together in their vehicle while they watch the show. Some get out and dance. Some travel hours to see it. What’s important to me, personally, is that they take a break from the stresses of the holiday and think about the very first Christmas. There was no admission charge, no preparation to make, no fancy clothes required, just peace, joy, and hope to celebrate together. Spread the word!”
The Joy of Christmas Light Show runs nightly at the Oakland Community Center from dusk on Thanksgiving Day through New Year’s Day. It’s a dazzling LED display synchronized to music. Pull into the Oakland Community Center, switch off your headlights, tune your radio to 87.9 FM, and enjoy the show starting at the top of every hour.