Display inspired by 'Christmas Vacation' fools neighbors into calling 911

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Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Griswold-inspired Christmas display leads to 911 call
A Christmas display inspired by the Chevy Chase comedy "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" fooled some neighbors into calling 911.

BOULDER, Colorado -- A Colorado man who really likes "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" gave his neighbors quite a scare with his elaborate holiday display.

Chris Olson's display includes a dummy dangling from the edge of his roof. The scene is an ode to the Chevy Chase comedy, in which Clark Griswold has quite the adventure decorating his home for the holidays.

But some neighbors thought it was a real person caught up in holiday lights on the roof and called police.

First responders later realized it was a dummy dangling from the roof.

"My wife really didn't want me to do it this year but I said, 'No, it's an Olson tradition.' My dad was a big practical joker, so I kinda got a little bit of that rolled into me," Olson said.

Olson jokes he has no plans to take down the dummy until maybe next Halloween.