Thanks to an array of festive displays shining brightly throughout the community, Sea Isle City’s annual Holiday Lighting Contest was once again a success.
Hosted by the city’s Division of Recreation, this year’s competition included 18 registered properties – each of which added to Sea Isle’s holiday atmosphere.
There are also lighted decorations in many public areas and a bevy of well-decorated homes and businesses that were not entered in this year’s Holiday Lighting Contest.
The contest was judged by volunteers from the Sea Isle City Garden Club, who drove through town on Dec. 8 and carefully examined each entry.
The event’s top three winners were ultimately chosen based on their levels of creativity, aesthetic effect, and the amount of endeavor that was required to complete each display.
The first place prize of $100, provided courtesy of First Bank of Sea Isle City, went to the McLeer home at 305 39th Street (East unit). The property was covered with many strings of lights, illuminated holiday characters, a manger scene, and mannequins climbing a 15-foot extension ladder with additional decorations in hand.
The second place prize of $50, also courtesy of First Bank, went to the Lynch home at 8604 Pleasure Avenue. Countless strings of lights covered the corner property’s exterior facade as well as the landscaping, fencing, flagpole and a huge wreath.
Thanks to their endless strings of white lights and classic holiday trim, the Miller family at 230 56th Street received the event’s third prize, a floral arrangement that was provided courtesy of Rocky and Fred’s Creative Design Florist.
“The entries were very impressive this year, and we had a lot of decision-making to do,” said Garden Club member Monica Santarcangelo, who served as one of the event’s judges. “There was a very interesting selection of decorations – and some were extremely creative. We had a difficult time choosing the winners, but it was well worth the effort because we all enjoyed the evening as we drove through town and gazed at the beautiful decorations.”
Christie Ostrander, who oversees Sea Isle’s Recreational Office, praised the partnership between the city and the Garden Club for the lighting contest. She also expressed her thanks to First Bank of Sea Isle City and Rocky & Fred’s Florist for providing the prizes each year.
“It’s wonderful that we can host events with small-town charm that have a big impact on our community,” Ostrander said. “It’s events such as this that make Sea Isle City a wonderful town.”
To view photos of each property that was entered in Holiday Lighting Contest, go to www.VISITSICNJ.com and click the “Photo Gallery” link on the bottom of the home page.
