The Morris home on CR 6861 won 1st Place Residential.
The Pat and Kitty DuBose Memorial Christmas Light Competition was a great success, raising $7,763 for Hank Inc. (Helping Abused and Neglected Kids in Medina County and surrounding areas.)
HANK INC will soon be opening their 3rd community foster home in Medina County, a much needed place for foster children in need of a warm bed and safe home that allows them to stay close to their community. More foster homes are desperately needed across our region, so HANK does a great service to our community, and they can’t do it without our support.
Devine Hospice Thrift Store was the largest supporter of this event, donating $5,000 to HANK’s kids, as part of this Christmas light fundraiser. Medina Electric is also a huge supporter donating $1,250 to match the amount of participants who entered. The first place prize for the residential category is a $500 gift card donated by the DJ Carlson Memorial Bust n Burn. The second place prize for the residential category is a $250 gift card donated by Medina Electric Coop.
Awards are as follows:
1st place- The Morris family on CR 6861 outside Natalia.
You’re in for a magical surprise as you round the corner of CR 6861 approaching the Morris home. One character after another covers the sprawling, beautifully lit display that’s full of fun. As you walk along the property, you’ll find plenty of familiar movie characters and scenes as well as those who call the North Pole home. Behind it all is a beautifully lit home adorned in warm white and red lights. A giant tree of lights towers above the sweet manger scene, and the beautifully lit colorful gate that says “JOY” says it all. This display is full of Christmas joy. The family estimates their display has somewhere in the neighborhood of 15,000-20,000 lights.
2nd place- The Ingleston family on Hwy 173 outside Devine. The Ingelston display is full of Christmas surprises, and sometimes, santa’s even there! New this year is a 54-foot tall tree towering above the home and property, with nearly 1200 lights on the tree alone.
3rd place and Most Comical- The Gonzales family on Lucas Drive. This little property is packed with lights in a most organized and beautifully animated display. With all kinds of characters, blow up animals, a rope light fence and candy cane walkway, it’s a magical place to be. There is just about any kind of character you could ever imagine—from a unicorn, to a tiger, to a parrot, to a giant snail, to a Christmas dinosaur. At the center of it all nearest the home is a beautiful manager display celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Most Traditional Award- The Langley family on Howard Wallace is lit up beautifully this year, with the warmest white lights wrapped with garland draping from the white porch fence. A beautiful giant wreath adorns the door above the landscaping sprinkled with lights near the entrance, all glowing that beautiful warm white.
Silent Night Award- The Devine Garden Club sets up a beautifully painted wooden manger display at four corners every year for all the kiddos and families to enjoy and remember the reason for the season.
I Believe in Santa Claus Award- The Jacksons display in Moore is truly magical. Drive by and the kids will never want to leave. Every inch is filled with warm white lights, Christmas characters and Christmas joy, including a huge husky snowman, Santa’s sleigh, and much, much more!
Winter Wonderland – The Ruesch Family Christmas display is one of a kind. A sprawling light display covers the property. You are greeted by Santa’s animated reindeer by the gate and the fun just never seems to end as you walk through the Winter Wonderland.
Most Magical Award- The Cassiano Family on Crouch Avenue may be small in size, but it’s big in heart! It is filled with cute little characters that’ll bring any kid a smile and lit with great colorful lights.
The White Christmas Award- The Millican family on FM 3176 outside Devine has a beautiful and unique display. Warm lights adorn 9 Christmas trees that serve as a beautiful backdrop to Santa’s reindeer and a snowman family. A big beautifully lit angel shines brightly over all, surrounded by gorgeous poinsettias. To the far right is a hilariously cute scene of Santa warming up by the campfire with his buddies.
Let It Snow Award- The Schneider family’s on Jay Drive really makes it look like it’s snowing. The cool blue/white lights radiate throughout the display under the large Oak trees, where large homemade penguins ice skate and slide down ice blocks amongst other Winter characters. Giant snowflakes made from hangers and lights are a most creative beautiful touch to what most certainly looks like the “North Pole” of Devine.
Business Category:
1st place business- Morales Realty is beautifully lit in warm white lights on Hondo Ave in downtown Devine, with practically every inch wrapped in gorgeous designs.
2nd place business- Lighting up Hwy 132, A Bushel and a Peck is a beautiful sight as it glows in the night.
3rd place business- Country Gals Market is full of Christmas spirit inside and out!
By Kayleen Holder
Editor