The 2012 Interlochen Lights decorating award winners were announced at the President’s Open House. There were so many beautiful and original homes this year that there could have easily been dozens of winners. Award winners from the last two years were ineligible but most of them looked even better than when they won. Here are the eight winners:
Most Artistic –The Baker Family, 1408 Crowley. The long time owners moved this year and many of us were concerned because it is the first house on the water that is seen by the visitors. No worries. The new residents did a wonderful job in their first Christmas. Their back yard lighting brightened the lake for everyone to see.
Best Theme –The Began Family, 904 Loch Lomond. Another new homeowner with an impressive, unique first time effort with lots of hard work from their young son. Their Bayou theme has Santa in a pirogue boat pulled by alligators along.
The Griswald Award –The Powell Family, 3207 San Paulo. This beautiful home at the corner of Findlay and San Juan could win every year for its fantastic train and thousands of lights. They have won the coveted Griswald Award in the past but not for a while and the judges felt they deserved it again for their many years of decorating excellence.
The Santa Award –The Janeway Family, 702 Loch Lomond. This house has also won before for their Redneck Santa with his crazy pastel RV but they took it up to another level of freak this year with a Dallas Mavericks Santa that looks a lot like Dirk Nowitsky. Come back soon, Dirk, the Mavs need you.
Santa’s Choice –The Weaver Family, 1103 San Juan. Three words describe their front yard: Blow Up City. By day, it looks like a bunch of silly flat blobs on their front yard. At night, it all inflates and comes alive with a burst of color, light, characters and movement.
Most Artistic II –The Graham Family, 1021 Loch Lomond. These folks took a relatively simple “gift wrap” concept and made it into a beautiful work of art celebrating multiple cultures, languages and religions.
Best Theme II –The Clement Family, 1422 Porto Bello. If you couldn’t find any of those new LED icicle lights in the stores, maybe it’s because they are all in this front yard. Their “Joy to the World” concept has many one-of-a-kind hand made elements.
The People’s Choice Award –The Saenz Family, 1111 Crowley. Their Earth Mover Santa is a great piece. They were the top vote getter from among three worthy nominees in a vote held at the Open House.