The annual Seward Rotary Home Holiday Outdoor Lighting Contest was held Dec. 5. The holiday outdoor lighting and decorated homes in the Greater Seward Area were judged by a group delegation from the Seward Rotary Club and the Seward High Future Business Leaders of America.
Changes and new rules were created for this year’s contest, with a new committee and six homes recognized.
“We really had a hard time trying to decide,” project co-chairman Christian Fields with the SHS FBLA said.
“There were so many great looking homes this year, both in Seward and in the surrounding area-we really appreciate all the work everyone did to make Seward a real Christmas wonderland,” co-chairman and Rotarian Judge Zane Francescato said. “Thanks Seward – everyone wins and the community of Seward is the winner this year!
“As chair, I decided we would only award six major awards and make the community aware of these outstanding examples of home holiday lighting. We did list the other lighted homes in the community. We did not give those rankings, awards, titles or honorable mention but wanted you to be directed to the nice efforts of many in the Seward community. There are many lighting displays out and about in the city, as the weather has been so nice!”
The following six homes and families are recognized for their outstanding efforts to create a festive atmosphere for the 2021 Seward holidays.
Winners are:
The Rotary Club President’s Best Overall Award, awarded to the home with the best overall display in the community—The Tom Reif family, 105 Wildwood Road (Lights flash to music, 91.7 FM)
The Clark Griswold Award, presented to the home with the most WOW factor, because you can never have too many lights—The Jason Dillon family, 1320 River Street, and the Chris Policky family, River Street.
The Santa’s Choice Award, awarded to the home that has the best organized appearance or theme, because even Santa chooses favorites—The Tony Sabatka family, 212 Hickory
The True Meaning of Christmas Award, awarded to the home with the best nativity scene—The Jonathan Curtis family, 2200 Rainbow Avenue, a beautiful nativity scene.
The Traditional Christmas Award, awarded to the home that has the “most traditional” display—The Chuck Matzke family, 15 Seward Street, white lights everywhere.
The Judges’ Favorite Award, awarded to the display that the judges enjoyed the most—The Jerry Kremer family, 2105 North First Street.
The contest was judged by members of the Seward Rotary Club and the SHS Future Business Leaders of America. Judges chair for the Rotary Club delegation was Zane Francescato. Judges chairmen for the SHS FBLA delegation were Co-Chairs Christian Fields and Gracen Sommerer.
Questions can be directed to Francescato. It was noted by the judges that because of the recent beautiful weather, there were many beautiful home lighted displays and these names and addresses are only a few of the wonderful light displays in Seward that were nominated to the committee by families, friends and Rotarians.
While businesses were not judged, recognition is given to all who share their holiday window displays and outdoor decorations.
Many of the local churches also have beautiful nativity scenes.
A must see is also the beautiful tree and decorations inside and out at the Seward Civic Center. They have a large, beautiful tree at 6th and Bradford Avenue.
Special honor and recognition goes to the Most Patriotic Lighting Display-Fourth of July City at the Nebraska National Guard for its presentation of their front yard, featuring its decorated M-4 Sherman Tank and lighted sculpture in the front lawn.
Of special interest are the lights and displays at Memorial Park on the corner of Third and Seward Streets and the Optimist Club’s Bemis Park lights on Highway 34!
