The LITH judging committee toured the route the evening of Thursday, Dec 12 with the help of Jeff Trevino and his open-air art-mobile. The following are this year’s award winning homes:
Most Colorful - 1020 East 7th
Most Festive - 412 Highland
Most Creative - 402 Omar
Most Wattage - 946 Highland
Most Religious - 616 Highland
Best Theme - 803 Omar
Best Single Color - 937 Omar
Most Traditional - 714 Merrill
Most Historical - 949 Omar
Pick of the Night - 903 Highland
Ho-Ho-Ho - 405 Highland
Most Crafty* - 917 Omar
Best Porch - 823 Omar
Best Inflatables - 909 Highland
Best Block - 400 block of Highland
Kids Choice* - 904 Omar
Most Edible* - 501 Euclid
Most Patriotic Christmas* - 602 Highland
Best Not Quite A Block* - 3000 block of Beauchamp
Most Mystical* - 1021 Omar
Most Existential* - 910 Omar
Rookie of the Year* - 710 Redan
Best Use of The Force* - 304 Bayland
400 Block of Highland: Best Block Panaramic Photo (click to see larger.)
Houses are either on the official route or nominated by neighbors for consideration. The judges start out with a list of categories that have been used for years, but have the ability to name ad hoc categories* based upon what they find on their tour.
Last year marked the first time the judges saw neighbors loft light strings that spanned the roadway for an entire block. It was part of what made everyone Feel The Byrne, winning them Best Block. This year the neighbors on the 400 block of Highland took the lesson, and to good effect. Does this mean that this is the new normal?
Best Not-Quite-A-Block: 3300 Beauchamp (click to see larger.)
Also, this editor would like to add one more. While not officially recognized by the judges, 406 Byrne with its “Santa 2020” theme deserves special recognition. In fact, the judges generally agreed that the 400 block of Byrne, while quite distant from the official route, still brought their A-game.
All photos by Michael Graves. Most taken using Google Pixel using “Night Sight.”