The home of Jack and Brenda Keys, 328 Middle Road, receives Best in Show. Photo: C. Leinbach
Observer staff report
Judges for the annual Ocracoke Island Celebration holiday lights competition were impressed with the creativity of the displays.
“There were so many ways to express the holiday spirit and the time and effort it took folks to make their displays is clear to see,” said one judge.
Another noted that the lights convey the joy abounding throughout the island.
The anonymous judging panel made their rounds the evening of Dec. 14. Awardees receive the glory of winning in one of five categories, designated by signs placed in front of their properties.
The following were winners:
Best in Show went to Jack and Brenda Keys, 328 Middle Road, with their white and blue lights display. Their home is pictured at top.
Best Theme went to Sarah and Brian Warren along Back Road with their nautical Christmas décor. Photo: C. Leinbach
Honorable Mention for Best Theme went to the O’Neal home along Loop Road. Photo: C. Leinbach
Most Original went to Javier Rivera and Guille Moreno on Middle Road. Photo: C. Leinbach
Woody Billings’ home on First Avenue receives Most Original Honorable Mention. Photo: C. Leinbach
Mary Ellen and Jim Piland’s home along Trent Road captured Most Traditional with their numerous Christmas trees and Santa’s helpers. Photo: C. Leinbach
The home of Jenny Mason & Mandy Cochran at the end of Lighthouse Road got Most Traditional Honorable Mention. Photo: C. Leinbach
The Village Craftsmen on Howard Street captured Best Business with their underwater depiction of Ocracoke, “The Pearl of the Outer Banks.” Photo: C. Leinbach
The Island Inn Commons is decked out with more than 12,000 lights. Photo: C. Leinbach
Not to be missed at the corner of Irvin Garrish Highway and Lighthouse Road is the Island Inn Commons Landscaping Project, festooned with about 12,000 lights, thanks to the hard work of islander Trudy Austin, according to Debbie Wells, organizer of the landscaping project.
Another view of the holiday lights in the Island Inn Commons. Photo: C. Leinbach
The Ocracoke Civic & Business Association conducts the Island Celebration contest.
