The first round of judging for the 35th annual Home Decorating Contest took place last week.
Awards given in the contest include: the Clark Griswold Award for spectacular light displays or displays that have incorporated motion lights and music; the Charlie Brown Award for homes decorated in a simple way conveying amazing Christmas spirit; the Norman Rockwell Award for homes that coordinate the elegance of the light displays with the house; the O Holy Night Award for religious light display themes; the TV Christmas Classics Award for homes that feature Christmas characters from TV or movies; and the Best Business Display Award.
The preliminary winners named in each city ward are as follows.
Ward 1
Charlie Brown Award: First place, the Huntley Family.
Clark Griswold Award: First place, Charyl A. Clarkston.
Norman Rockwell Award: First place, Donnie and Lisa Hurst; second place, Joan and Dave Rothenay.
TV Christmas Classics: First place, Marcia Hart; second place, the Kreutz Family.
Ward 2
Charlie Brown Award: First place, Kenneth R. Elliott; second place, Donna and Homer Cavitte III.
Clark Griswold Award: First place, Roy Johnson.
Norman Rockwell Award: First place, Scott and Tina Sellmer.
O Holy Night Award: Nelson Otto.
Ward 3
Charlie Brown Award: First place, Brad Giesing.
Clark Griswold Award: First place, Chris and Kelsey Hile.
Norman Rockwell Award: First place, Elizabeth Milhollin and Ryan.
Ward 4
Best Business Lights Display: First place, Governor Motor Company.
Clark Griswold Award: First place, Doug and Marilyn (Trachsel) Coleman.
O Holy Night Award: First place, Donald Johnson.
TV Christmas Classics Award: First place, Robin Smith.
Ward 5
Charlie Brown Award: First place, the Simpson family; second place, Nina and Chris Theroff.
Norman Rockwell Award: First place, Chad and Alex Cypert; second place, Alan Wheat and Chase Batye.
O Holy Night Award: First place, Tom and Ceil Whalen.
The final judging will take place Dec. 15-17 in search of overall city winners in each category. The final winners will be announced in the Christmas Eve edition of the News Tribune.
Community members are encouraged to follow the Tour of Lights Map published in the Dec. 8 edition of the News Tribune to view and select a People's Choice Award winner by calling the Jefferson City Parks Department at 573-634-6482. The People's Choice Award winner will be announced in the New Year's Eve edition of the News Tribune.
The Christmas Lights Contest and Tour is hosted by the News Tribune, Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, and Cottonstone Gallery and Frame Shop.