Mona Anderson
Thirty-one nominations were received this season for the Beauty of the Holidays lighting competition, organized by Keep North Platte and Lincoln County Beautiful and the North Platte Bulletin.
There is no shortage of Christmas spirit this year, with heartwarming displays in yards and homes all around the city.
“We love this time of year. Getting out and seeing all of the effort people put into spreading joy, gives us all the Christmas spirit,” KNPLCB Executive Director Mona Anderson said.
Bulletin Publisher George Lauby thanks everyone who puts up Christmas lights and goes to the extra effort to make the holidays extra beautiful.
“It gives us a lot of cheer,” he said.
This year’s prizes are generously sponsored by Brothers Tavern, Menard’s, Schaben Sanitation, and Cody Keno.
Fifteen community judges traveled more than 25 miles in North Platte and beyond to rank each nominated display on curb appeal, balance, theme, and maintenance.
The rankings were very close.
Some of the judge’s comments include: “Stunning and gorgeous,” “Loved the Santa in the window.” “It was so cool, we had to get out of the car to walk through it.”
The sponsors have made it possible to give cash prizes for the first-place winners in each ward, to encourage the continuation of community spirit and beautification through the holiday seasons.
Color photographs of the top yards are published in the Bulletin on Wednesday evenings, Dec. 20 and 27.
Ward 1
1. 1002 East 2nd Street – Allan & Seanna Collins
2. 2300 East Phillip, 47B - Jeremy and Susan Brunette
3. 1308 Burlington Ave. – Ben & Amber Thomas
Ward 4
1&2 (tie) -- 2520 West 18th Street – Tom and Kathy Reed and
622 West 10th Street – Mario & Leigh Gonzales, display by Justin Hoff
3. 821 N. Curtis – Martin & Sharon Sellers
Ward 2
1. 1821 West C Street - Dan and Shandell Sims
2. 2301 Cedarberry Road
3. 3411 West F Street – Adrian and Christina Martinez
Ward 3
1. 2721 West A Street
2. 2610 West 2nd Street
3. 1814 West 2nd Street – Monica and Gary Dodge
County – Honorable Mention
1. 14102 N. Sandhill Road – Scott Mustion
2. Maxwell Veterans Memorial – Maxwell
3. 6692 West Highway 30 – Teke and Rebecca Colson
Thank you to the competition judges:
Krysti and Ellanor Deckert
Kimber Becker
Brenda Jensen
DiAnn Nichelson
McKenzie & Conner – Community Connections Mentoring
Crowell Family
Zoe & Angela
Larissa & Kendyl
Andre, Desmond & David