Since the Town’s inception, Celebration residents have enthusiastically embraced the traditional American winter holiday practice of decorating the exteriors of their homes with strands of lights, evergreen garland, and bright-colored ribbon. This year, Celebration has resumed its practice of sponsoring a holiday exterior illumination contest for residents. Organized by the Special Events Committee, participants were required to register in advance to be considered. The just-announced results not only recognized a few perennial favorites but also revealed a few surprises. Further, all award winners were decorated by the owners themselves.

Celebration Christmas Lights Contest Winners

A “best” award was given to each of the familiar Celebration styles (bundalow/garden, cottage, village, etc.). There were also two “overall” awards, one for the most aggressive and overdone display (in the spirit of the Osborne Lights and the now legendary Griswold Family of Chevy Chase movie fame), and the other for Best in Town.

A panel of resident-judges, whose identities were not revealed for their own protection, decided the awards. The judging criteria included creativity, originality, balance, tastefulness, consistency, attractiveness, and the “wow” factor.

Best-in-Town was awarded to Joseph and Kelly Konopka (900 Blue Sage Street). Their East Village townhome featured a huge illuminated Santa topiary as the centerpiece, with wreaths decorated with white lights mounted on the front door and in all front and side windows. According to the owners, “Not being fans of ready-made decorations, creating something new and exciting to look at each year is one of our traditions. We always use existing decorations but expand or reinvent them each year.”

The Osborne Award was given to a regular town favorite, the Whitmire Family home at 905 Pondview in East Village. Inspired by the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the Whitmire’s not only load their yard with just about every conceivable holiday item, but with the help of their neighbors they also display glowing candy canes along the curb on both sides of the block. Said Kathy Whitmire, “What can we say – it does not get any tackier than Clark W’s home!”

The winners in each home style included:

Bungalow/Garden: The Warner Family (210 Norfolk in North Village), who commented, “ Everyone decorates with lights – so we wanted to turn our perfectly yummy home into a gingerbread house.”

Village: Rick Hughes’ house at 911 Jasmine in Celebration Village, whose dancing, music-synchronized lights this year extend to the neighbor’s homes on each side of his.

Manor: The Shaw Family (757 Oak Shadows in East Village), whose display was recognized by the judges for the tasteful, balanced use of white lights and red bells. Noted Pam Shaw, “Our decorations reflect our classic traditional style.” The judges agreed, observing that it certainly presented what people would expect in the traditionally styled town of Celebration.

Estate: The Berger Family (883 Spring Park Loop in South Village), whose antique Santa on the porch and lighted angels on the lawn caught the attention of judges. Said Adam Berger, “Our house is decorated by the entire family. The highlight is our special Santa. It’s Everyone’s favorite!”

Condo: Robert and Jan McChesney (901 Waterside Lane, 2-104). The judges particularly liked the classic use of lights to accentuate the hedge and porch, as well as the deer guarding the doorway.

The judges also wanted to acknowledge two other exceptional entries, which finished very close in their respective categories, as well as for the Osborne Award:

Jack and Jeri McLaughlin (205 Eastpark in North Village). “My husband loves the movie National Lampoon’s Family Christmas,” said Jeri, “and can’t wait to see what lights the stores/catalogs are offering each year. However, we love Jesus most of all and offer our display to all of our community of Celebration to remind everyone of the true meaning of Christmas.”

Luis Santini (1200 Roycroft in Artisan Park). Located on Celebration Avenue at the entrance to Artisan Park, the wild array of light, figures, and blow-ups draws lots of spectators each evening. “Our family tried to make it seem like Santa’s workshop,” explained Santini. “We celebrate all the holidays.”

The judges noted that although all the entrants were attractive and noteworthy, many other homes in Celebration would have been worthy of consideration had they registered in advance. Added contest organizers Katie Tamanini and Bert Fitzgibbons, “There are so many fabulously decorated homes here in Celebration and we hope for many more entries next year.”

Originally posted 2009-12-23 13:44:47.

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