Making the season merry & bright: MBLP announces lighting contest winners
visitors explore the Carters’ Christmas Lights at 1313 N. Vandenboom Ave. in Marquette Township on Wednesday. he display won first place in the Winner’s Circle category in the Marquette Board of Light and Power’s 38th annual lighting contest. It’s the sixth time the Carters have taken first place in the Winner’s Circle category, and the ninth time they’ve been named a winner in the contest. The public is welcome to walk through the display at no cost, and the Carter family is encouraging masks and social distancing. The display is open until 10 p.m. each night through New Year’s Eve. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)
Decorations are shown at the Carters’ Christmas Lights display, which is located along Vandenboom Avenue in Marquette Township. The display won first place in the Winner’s Circle category in the Marquette Board of Light and Power’s 38th annual lighting contest. It’s the sixth time the Carters have taken first place in the Winner’s Circle category, and the ninth time they’ve been named a winner in the contest. The public is welcome to walk through the display at no cost, and the Carter family is encouraging masks and social distancing. The display is open until 10 p.m. each night through New Year’s Eve. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)
A collection of cookies is seen at The Carters’ Christmas Lights display, which is located along Vandenboom Avenue in Marquette Township. The display won first place in the Winner’s Circle category in the Marquette Board of Light and Power’s 38th annual lighting contest. It’s the sixth time the Carters have taken first place in the Winner’s Circle category, and the ninth time they’ve been named a winner in the contest. The public is welcome to walk through the display at no cost, and the Carter family is encouraging masks and social distancing. The display is open until 10 p.m. each night through New Year’s Eve. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)tions at the Carters’ Christmas Lights display at 1313 N. Vandenboom Ave. in Marquette Township are pictured. The display won first place in the Winner’s Circle category in the Marquette Board of Light and Power’s 38th annual lighting contest. It’s the sixth time the Carters have taken first place in the Winner’s Circle category, and the ninth time they’ve been named a winner in the contest. The public is welcome to walk through the display at no cost, and the Carter family is encouraging masks and social distancing. The display is open until 10 p.m. each night through New Year’s Eve. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)
visitors explore the Carters’ Christmas Lights at 1313 N. Vandenboom Ave. in Marquette Township on Wednesday. he display won first place in the Winner’s Circle category in the Marquette Board of Light and Power’s 38th annual lighting contest. It’s the sixth time the Carters have taken first place in the Winner’s Circle category, and the ninth time they’ve been named a winner in the contest. The public is welcome to walk through the display at no cost, and the Carter family is encouraging masks and social distancing. The display is open until 10 p.m. each night through New Year’s Eve. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)
Decorations are shown at the Carters’ Christmas Lights display, which is located along Vandenboom Avenue in Marquette Township. The display won first place in the Winner’s Circle category in the Marquette Board of Light and Power’s 38th annual lighting contest. It’s the sixth time the Carters have taken first place in the Winner’s Circle category, and the ninth time they’ve been named a winner in the contest. The public is welcome to walk through the display at no cost, and the Carter family is encouraging masks and social distancing. The display is open until 10 p.m. each night through New Year’s Eve. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)
A collection of cookies is seen at The Carters’ Christmas Lights display, which is located along Vandenboom Avenue in Marquette Township. The display won first place in the Winner’s Circle category in the Marquette Board of Light and Power’s 38th annual lighting contest. It’s the sixth time the Carters have taken first place in the Winner’s Circle category, and the ninth time they’ve been named a winner in the contest. The public is welcome to walk through the display at no cost, and the Carter family is encouraging masks and social distancing. The display is open until 10 p.m. each night through New Year’s Eve. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)tions at the Carters’ Christmas Lights display at 1313 N. Vandenboom Ave. in Marquette Township are pictured. The display won first place in the Winner’s Circle category in the Marquette Board of Light and Power’s 38th annual lighting contest. It’s the sixth time the Carters have taken first place in the Winner’s Circle category, and the ninth time they’ve been named a winner in the contest. The public is welcome to walk through the display at no cost, and the Carter family is encouraging masks and social distancing. The display is open until 10 p.m. each night through New Year’s Eve. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)
Trending
MARQUETTE -- Area residents can now hit the roads prepared with a list of must-see holiday displays, as the Marquette Board of Light and Power has officially announced the winners of its 38th annual holiday lighting contest.
Of the 32 entrants into this year's contest, 19 received recognition for their displays. The awards were given in five categories, which included Winner's Circle, Child's Bright Delight, Frosty's Favorites, Elfin Magic and Rudolph's Rookies. Two honorable mentions were also awarded.
Displays eligible for inclusion in the Winner's Circle category include those who have won in the Winner's Circle, Child's Bright Delight or Frosty's Favorite categories in the past.
Taking first place in this year's Winner's Circle was the Carter family for their extravagant winter wonderland, formally titled "The Carters' Christmas Lights." The display is located at 1313 N. Vandenboom Ave. in Marquette Township.
In the runner-up position for the category were Dan and Katie Parvu at 495 Brookton Road, also in Marquette Township.
Debbie Leiviska's Negaunee Township display at 35 Forest Drive took third place in the category.
In the Child's Bright Delight category, which is described as a "large lighting extravaganza that makes your home glow and light up the neighborhood," Gary Bell's display at 1201 Tierney St., across from Bothwell Middle School in Marquette, took the first-place award.
Bell's display took third place in the Winner's Circle category in 2019.
Frosty's Favorites is categorized as a "medium-sized traditional mixture of lights and decorations that may include boughs, figurines and creative lighting," according to organizers.
Kim Brennan at 1516 Lincoln Ave., in Marquette won the category this year. Brennan won the Elfin Magic category last year.
The Elfin Magic category is described as a "small lighting or decorating display that may include wreaths, natural motifs and more."
Taking the reins from Brennan this year for the Elfin Magic category was Dan Salmon at 1506 West Ave. in Marquette, who finished runner-up behind Brennan in the category in 2019.
Rudolph's Rookies is a category for any first-time entrant in the contest. Four "rookie" displays entered this year, with William Digneit's 146 W. Prospect St. display in Marquette taking first-place honors.
The two honorable mentions were awarded to Georgette and Richard Greet at 2052 Huron St. in Marquette Township and Corey Hambleton at 415 McMillan St. in Marquette.
A sixth category, North Pole Neighborhood, which allows three or more houses in close proximity to participate as a combined entrant, had no entries this year.
MBLP customers were eligible to enter their displays up to Dec. 14, with the final judging in the contest completed last Monday.
The public was also invited to vote for their favorite displays online this year in order to help MBLP judges make their decisions in the contest.
For those who are still looking to view light displays this holiday season, the MBLP has made a driving map available with all entries online at https://2020mblplightingcontest.com/.
The winners in each category, with the first-, second- and third-place winners in descending order, are listed below.
Winner's Circle
≤ The Carters -- 1313 N. Vandenboom Ave., Marquette Township
≤ Dan and Katie Parvu -- 495 Brookton Road, Marquette Township
≤ Debbie Leiviska -- 35 Forest Drive, Negaunee Township
Child's Bright Delight
≤ Gary Bell -- 1201 Tierney St., Marquette
≤ Marie and Matt Dunham -- 809 Homestead St., Marquette
≤ Don and Anne Desjardins -- 700 W. College Ave., Marquette
Frosty's Favorites
≤ Kim Brennan -- 1516 Lincoln Ave., Marquette
≤ Amber Emanuelson and Robert Linares with Tanner Linares -- 547 W. Bluff St., Marquette
≤ Jim and Cindi Acocks -- 702 Mesnard St., Marquette
≤ Amanda Raymus -- 430 W. Crescent St., Marquette
Elfin Magic
≤ Dan Salmon -- 1506 West Ave., Marquette
≤ Shana and Justin Kleinschmidt -- 641 Magnetic St., Marquette
≤ Connie Bell and son -- 2309 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette
Rudolph's Rookies
≤ William Digneit -- 146 W. Prospect St., Marquette
≤ Derrick DePetro -- 230 Jean St., Harvey
≤ Krysti Ostyermyer -- 1920 Sugar Loaf Ave., Marquette
≤ Mike and Marlene Hohman -- 1366 Ortman Road, Sands Township
Honorable Mention
≤ Georgette and Richard Greet -- 2052 Huron St., Marquette Township
≤ Corey Hambleton -- 415 McMillan St., Marquette
Ryan Spitza can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is rspitza@miningjournal.net.