There were so many wonderfully decorated homes in our Collegeville Borough contest that it was hard picking only four winners. In the end, we picked four winners and one Runner-Up in the Traditional Category– although we wished we could have given prizes to all the homes!
Most Extravagant—Can You Say “Griswold Christmas?”
243 Park Ave. owned by Dean Hart and Family
Dean’s house is on the flag lot behind the duplex on 231 Park Ave. Walk down Dean’s long driveway under the white lighted arch to see his collection of Santa’s, snowmen, bears, reindeer and more! There are Santa’s flying planes, on boats, camping, and reindeer transported in a long trolley car. Everywhere there are white lights, electric blue lights and colored lights. Dean has repurposed found structures as frames for the lights, including an old carport support, tomato cages and hula hoops. Dean loves creating an atmosphere of magic for Christmas that both kids and adults will enjoy!
Religious Category
120 Claymont Drive owned by Dan Young and Family
Dan’s house won in the religious category for his show-stopper manger scene set on straw in his side yard. But he also covered all the traditional and colonial decorating bases with his house decorations featuring snowmen and bears, reindeer with Santa’s sleigh, a large Santa and Christmas tree on the front porch, beautiful garlands and greenery displays, and both colored and white lights. In every category, this home is an absolute winner!
Traditional Category
390 Eighth Ave. owned by Chris DeMarco and Family
The judges laughed out loud when they pulled up to Chris’ house. The large red lighted arrow pointing at the chimney guides Santa and his reindeer to their exact landing spot. And the lighted angel with her hand pointed toward the sky seems to be gesturing directly toward “Santa’s runway” on the roof.
This house scored a 10 out of 10 on the judges’ scale for creativity in making sure Santa will never miss this house! Setting off the roof arrow are a cascade of green and red lights shimmering down the right side of the house. There is also a large lighted wreath on the roof of the garage, and other Christmas figures decorating the front along with white lights. I hope Chris and his family included a picture of their house on their Christmas cards this year – it could vie for an award for Best Christmas Card of 2021!
Colonial Category
Owned by Brian Freas and Family
Brian’s entry of his house in the colonial category dictated the use of tasteful white lights and candles in each window, creating his classic upscale “Americana” look. But then he added a red wooden truck as the main showpiece labeled “Freas Family Christmas Tree Farm” with a lighted tree in the cargo bed. The red lights added to the white ones in the front landscaping and trees echo the truck color.
The look is beautiful, warm, and down home all at the same time—making you feel like, yes, you really can go home again! This home captures the warmth and laughter of a much simpler time. And for this reason, the judges felt that Brian totally nailed it in the Colonial Category!
Traditional Category First Runner-Up
441 Park Ave. owned by Stacey Stong and Family
Stacey’s house on the corner of Park Ave. and Chestnut St. is decorated on both the front and the side. Highlights include an entire snowman Family with Christmas trees and their penguin friend, garlands and wreaths, large ornaments hanging from the porch ceiling, a tree and presents and a number of festive decorated objects on the porch that look homemade. There are lots of white and colored lights and more to see everywhere you look in this quintessential whimsical and fun display!
Congratulations to all the winners! The CEDC looks forward to sponsoring this contest again next year.
