By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

The judges have spoken in the 2021 Holiday Home Decorating contest sponsored by the City of Mesquite Department of Athletics and Leisure Services each year. And this year’s decision on winners was clearly not an easy one.

A panel of judges spent the evenings last weekend visiting the eleven entries for this year’s contest. Each of these eleven home owners had gotten down to work in channeling their creative abilities into their home holiday displays. What resulted was some amazing holiday greetings for all of the community to enjoy.

Coming in first place in the contest was an amazing display located at 1286 Shane Canyon in Sun City. This was certainly the largest entry, with lights and bright displays wrapping all around this house on a corner lot. One can only imagine how long it took to put it all up.

All of the landscape features are meticulously decked out with colorful lights, even the spiny yucca plants in the front yard. There are lighted, sparkling snow men, reindeer, Christmas toy decorations and much more to hold the attention of the viewer.

The second place award went to a small neighborhood teamup display at 972 and 978 Mesquite Springs in Rock Springs II. This one should be viewed both at night and in the daylight.

The owner has dubbed this display “Gingerbread Lane.” The decorations are mostly all homemade. And in many ways, seeing this amazing handiwork is better seen in the daytime when all of the details can be appreciated. But at night, the magic comes alive with tons of brilliant lights. In the evenings there is also an Elf on duty at this display to greet the onlookers and share holiday cheer.

Winning the third place award this year was a display at 598 Los Altos. This one will thrill the children viewers out there. In the evening Santa makes an appearance there to greet the onlookers. The display is bright on this one with plenty of lighted Christmas characters like reindeer, toy soldiers, snowmen, and even a life-sized replica of Santa himself. Make sure to stop around the side of the house so you can see and hear the holograph reciting the “Twas the Night before Christmas”

The judges had their hands full with the difficult job of rating each house from one to ten on various criteria. These included scores for creativity, lights and decorating, originality, and overall appearance.
Plaques and prizes will be awarded to the winners – along with the bragging rights, of course.

But the winners were not the only entries that merit a visit from those who enjoy looking at holiday light decorations. Other contest entries had spectacular holiday wonders in store as well. These entries include displays at 829 Crescent Moon Bend; 670 Gypsy Boy Lane; 261 Sun Valley Dr; 845 Emerald Pool Bluff; 33 Dancing Sky Trail; 164 Grayce Dr; 163 Sage Way and 1147 Rim Rock View.

Finally, on the way to see these homes you will see many more marvelous decorated homes that did not enter the contest. Be sure to take some time to enjoy all of them as well.