MARCO ISLAND — Decorative lighting and preparing homes and businesses for the 2008 Christmas season is a Marco Island tradition. Christmas Island Style's Home and Business Decorating Committee announces finalists for the 12th Annual Christmas House and Business Decorating Contest.
The Decorating Contest preliminary judging took place on Monday, Dec. 8 and Tuesday Dec. 9 beginning at 6:30 p.m. each night. Zone judging teams visited each light-decorated home, within 9 zones covering every street on the entire island. The top 20 homes selected will be judged at the finals Friday, Dec. 12 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Plaques and cash awards will be presented to all 20 Home Contest Finalists and the Winner of the Business Contest. The House Decorating Winner will receive $500 and the 19 finalists and the Business Contest winner will each receive $100. LCEC, the events premier sponsor since the contest’s inception, provide the funds for the cash awards.
New for 2008 is recognition for the best decorated shopping plaza. The winner of the Shopping Center Contest, Business Decorating contest and Home Decorating Contest will also receive a lawn sign which traditionally winners have displayed annually.
The contest, chaired by Dave Rice since 1997, has been a tremendous success. This year, 1,084 homes and 97 businesses were involved in the judging process. Every year more and more of Marco Island’s residents and business owners get involved in contributing to the holiday spirit and the committees theme “Light Up Marco”.All are eligible and there are no entry forms.
The Business Decorating Contest is growing and the committee anticipates a large number of businesses to participate. Similar to the House Decorating Contest, a team of judges visited all store fronts and make their recommendation.
Added Rice, "The final selection of the Best on Marco is an exciting evening with the Judges and the committee members going to all the contest finalist homes on the Marco Island Trolley". Each home finalist receives an invitation to attend the Awards Ceremony in January sponsored by Marine Bank and hosted by Paula and Richard Robinson at their business location Sanitasole.
The traditional car caravan, following the trolley to see the top 20 first hand is fun for all. The trolley leaves the Chamber of Commerce parking lot at approximately 6:30 PM on Dec. 12.
The rules state that winners can not repeat as winners for 5 years to ensure the opportunity for others to be successful. However, many prior winners still decorate and set very high standards for everyone. Addresses of the top contestants will be published and visiting the homes is great entertainment during the holiday season.
Previous House Decorating Contest winners include:
1997 The Napior family, 489 Balsam Court
1998 The MacDonald Family, 1580 Villa Court
1999 The Ewing/Williams Family, 1227 Treasure Court
2000 The Sorenson Family, 164 Clyburn
2001 The Prigge Family, 1369 North Collier Boulevard
2002 The Fair Family,1306 6th Ave.
2003 Dwayne Thomas, 296 Rockhill Court
2004 The Liv Family, 1448 Collingswood
2005 The MacDonald Family, 1580 Villa Court
2006 The Schilke Family, 1299 Winterberry Court
2007 Linda & Quirico Wynns &Barbara Maikisch, 160 Bermuda Rd.
Previous Business Decorating Winners
2007 Sunshine Booksellers, 1000 N. Collier Blvd.
The Top 20 Homes selected for the Finals are:
780 Copeland
10 Acorn
201 Windbrook
548 North Barfield
1369 North Collier
749 North Barfield
1208 Fruitland
1232 Fruitland
425 North Collier
1211 Lamplighter
1274 Apricot
91 Bermuda
1842 Dogwood
1905 Dogwood
2000 Sheffield
900 Scott
1811 Dade
441 Yellowbird
930 Plum
393 South Barfield
Worth Seeing – 1299 Winterberry – Ineligible – Previous Winner
Business Finalists
Kerry’s Café – 121 South Barfield Dr.
Captain Brien’s, 599 South Collier Blvd.
Nacho Mama’s 599 South collier Blvd
Konrads 599 South Collier Blvd
The 2008 judging teams are:
Terri & Greg West
Donna & Jim rohrbach
Carol & bob Boland
Carla and Mike Mickes
Michelle & Howard Jorday
Judy & Larry Sacher
Karen and Bill Young
Mary Quinton & Glen Walton
Nancy & Joe Carrington
Debbie & Marty Roddy
Susan & Ken Kubat
David Rice, Jr & Jennifer Bullock
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