WEST PITTSTON — Some residents go above and beyond to make the borough more beautiful with their Christmas decorations, and West Pittston Tomorrow is hoping to reward those efforts.
The organization is sponsoring its second Christmas decorating contest in which all borough homes and businesses are encouraged to show off their creativity by decorating their properties to the best of their ability.
There is no regisration for the contest as all homes and businesses that are decorated are considered.
According to current West Pittston Tomorrow member and former president Ellen Quinn, last year’s contest featured “several hundred” homes and businesses that participated.
“On my street alone, there were at least 25 decorated,” she said. “We expect more this year.”
Quinn also noted the idea came from a Christmas decorating contest the borough held back in 1954, which was sponsored by the West Pittston Police Pension.
According to a previous Sunday Dispatch report, there were three categories: Nativity, Christmas scenes and light display.
Winners of each category were the Oblates of St. Joseph on Susquehanna Avenue for Nativity, Dr. Joseph Miller of Susquehanna Avenue and Mrs. Charles Barone of Montgomery Avenue for Christmas scenes and James Walker on Franklin Street for light display.
Categories for the current contest will be a repeat of last year with Best Traditional Decor, Best Whimsical Decor and Best Business Decor.
Last year’s winners were Judy Stevenson for Best Traditional, Clay Carlos for Best Whimsical and Ballyhoo — Purveyors of Fine Ice Cream for Best Business.
Each category will have a first and second place winner and will receive gift cards from local businesses.
Current West Pittston Tomorrow President John Kearns said continuing the contest this year was a major priority.
“We had a great response last year,” he said. “A lot of the people on the (West Pittston Tomorrow) board and some of the residents thought it was a great idea. The winners of last year were very excited and very happy that their houses were chosen. Based on the excitement around it, we wanted to keep it going.”
Judging will be held Dec. 25 through Dec. 28 and the winners will be announced Dec. 29.
Kearns said he and the West Pittston Tomorrow board members will drive separately around the borough and then convene to decide winners.
Something different that will be done this year, Kearns mentioned, is residents can go on the West Pittston Tomorrow website and Facebook page and offer input, but winners will still be decided by board members.
“I think it’s pretty important,” Kearns said. “We shouldn’t be the sole people deciding who has the nicest house. Community input is definitely welcome.”
Something Quinn said she noticed is more homes and businesses are decorated now than there were at this time last year.
“We’re seeing lights, lights, lights,” she said. “We really think that people have embraced this contest and they’re enthusiastic about it. I think this has enticed people to decorate and I don’t even know if it’s for bragging rights or just for town spirit. I really think it’s town spirit and spirit for the holidays.”
Kearns added homes currently decorated have not gone unnoticed by the West Pittston Tomorrow board members and they are already being talked about.
He hopes more homes will follow and give the borough some Christmas spirit.
“It’s an opportunity to see the different eras of West Pittston and the Christmas spirit put into the houses,” said Kearns. “Typically, maybe you wouldn’t drive around and see everything, so this gives a chance to see how much community spirit is out there.”
