Every Christmas season, many people go touring in their own towns looking at decorations and being wowed by the creativity of their neighbors. This year was no exception as home and business owners across Washington decked their halls in tribute to the season.

Some of those decorators’ efforts were acknowledged last week, when the City of Washington’s Community Development Planner Emily Rebert announced the winners of Washington’s annual Spirit of Christmas awards.

Awards were broken down into first and second places in four categories: business inside historic district; business outside historic district; residential inside historic district and residential outside historic district. First-place winners are awarded a $50 credit on a Washington Utilities bill; second-place winners, a $25 credit.

Judges of the contest were an unlikely group: patrol officers with the Washington Police Department, which Rebert said really works out — unlike many residents, they see most of the city, and its decorations, on a nightly basis.

“I really trust that they make a great decision as to who they pick,” Rebert said.

“Downtown in general looked beautiful this year,” Rebert said. “I think the small things that we’re doing — like Spirit of Christmas, Light Up the City — I think they contribute and encourage people to get excited about the holidays.”

Rebert said she enjoyed calling the winners to tell them they had won, though there were some she did not get the opportunity to contact.

“It’s really fun to call around and let people know that we appreciate what they’re doing. I personally appreciate what they’re doing,” Rebert said. “I know it’s not a huge thing to get $50 for a credit for a first prize, but it’s way better than nothing.”

Rebert said events such as Light Up the City, an official lighting of the trees and downtown street party sponsored by the city and Arts of the Pamlico, and the Spirit of Christmas contest really shows off the town. She said she hopes these events and more keep growing, adding to the festivities in future years.

2016 SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS WINNERS

BUSINESS INSIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT

1^st place—G.W. Walker and Sons

203 W. Main St.

2^nd place—Nauti Life

112 W. Main St.

 

BUSINESS OUTSIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT

1^st place—King Chicken

306 Carolina Ave.

2^nd place—New Image Hair Salon

106 W. 15^th St.

 

RESIDENTIAL INSIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT

1^st place—Jason Fleming

714 E. Main St.

2^nd place—Todd and Laura Berry

734 W. Main St.

 

RESIDENTIAL OUTSIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT

1^st place—Willie and Elsie Roach

411 Cedar Lane

2^nd place—Ken and Mollie McGhee

110 N. Eden Drive