Sorry all. This was supposed to post this morning before I got on our flight back to ATL, but apparently the post just wasn’t feeling up to it.

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The winners of this year’s Decorate Decatur contest were announced by the city commission at last night’s meeting.  This year’s grand prize, in the form of the “Commissioner’s Cup”, went to Nancy Wilkinson & Susan Phillips’s “raucous display” at 205 Adair Street.  143 Adair also received a winning mention by the commission.

“Festive lights” gave U-Joint and Steinbecks top business decoration honors; along with Little Shop of Stories for it’s rooftop easy-access-for-Santa Christmas tree.

The shops along West Ponce (the strip formerly known as “WePo”) received a mention for “top streetscape experience”, while Lamont and Vidal and Ridgeland Avenue both won “best neighborhood” awards.

After the jump, see the city’s description of all of the city’s decoration winners.

Commissioners Cup

Nancy Wilkinson & Susan Phillips

205 Adair Street

This raucous display always fills up the home’s front yard. New this year is a “snow packing” center complete with a train (with working smoke stack) to haul the crates of snow. Judging by some green-clad kicking legs sticking out from under a crate, an elf appears to have had a workers safety mishap. Good thing elves are magical! Other features include a lighted bike, a snowman in box, a waving Santa and a working railroad crossing sign. The judges note that the decorations are beginning to migrate to nearby yards as evidenced by the lighted cow cutout that graces the facade of the across-the-street neighbor’s home. Indications are promising for next year’s exuberant holiday displays.

143 Adair Street

What is it about Adair Street? The folks there are always cooking up something new for the holidays, and this year is no different. You’ll want to walk or drive by twice to get both messages on the “Burma Shave” signs that accompany the tight-rope walking snowman.

122 Woodlawn Avenue

An extensive holiday menagerie fills the large front yard of this home and extends to the side yard in a dazzling display of lights. You could even say it glows.

107 2nd Avenue

Two giant inflatable nutcrackers guard the gift-wrapped front entrance of this bungalow, accented by the plentiful lights that illuminate its small front yard near busy East Lake Drive.

112 Paden Circle

The colorful lights on the facade and the front yard of this house are like a holiday beacon welcoming drivers and passersby on the way in to Oakhurst.

211 Willow Lane

This home has a generous lot with a gracious plenty of lights festooned across the many shrubs and ornamental trees. The display extends to the back of the home. The judges found the visual effect to be quite dazzling, especially when approached from Church Street.

302 Ponce de Leon Place

Happy Huladays! The more you look, the more you see in this hula-themed display. There are lights galore, lit Hawaiian versions of Season’s Greetings, a jolly inflatable snowman wearing a hula skirt, and so much more. The judges are careful to point out the team of pink flamingos pulling a sleigh.

151 Superior Avenue

These homeowners did not miss an inch of roofline — in front or out back — when they put up their lights. The house and garage are outlined in string lights accented by garland around the front door and porch. An inflatable polar bear with purple sweater presides over this holiday presentation.

252 Kings Highway

It’s impossible to miss the giant full moon planted on this front lawn with Santa and his sleigh zooming across the expanse. But that’s not all there is to see! Lights and other decorations round out the tableau. Be sure to roll down your window or take out your earbuds to hear the holiday music playing.

428 Sycamore Street

This grand historic home is picture perfect, beautifully decorated with greenery, ribbon and lights, with every detail covered including delightful “house” luminaries lining the front stone wall.

Businesses:

Steinbecks and U-Joint: Festive lights at these two anchor businesses contribute to the holiday bustle, welcoming patrons in need of refreshment during holiday preparations or a cozy place to celebrate the season.

Little Shop of Stories: The return of the beloved downtown Decatur Christmas tree is a special gift enthusiastically welcomed by the community.

Best Streetscape Experience: Shops on West Ponce

Passersby on W. Ponce de Leon Avenue are beckoned by the glittering white lights that fill the row of trees in front of the Shops of West Ponce Place. Just around the corner along the main thoroughfare, festive holiday decorations in the windows of Cakes & Ale, Kaleidoscope, Heliotrope, and Boogaloos Boutique are a visual treat for shoppers and strollers.

Best Neighborhoods:

Lamont/Vidal

Best overall neighborhood presentation with luminaria lighting the way along the rolling streets, and many houses harmoniously dressed up in beautiful white lights and garland.

Ridgeland Avenue

Delightful cluster of homes decked out in a right neighborly display of colorful lights.

Special Mention:

The judges want to recognize the City of Decatur for the new LED string lights covering the ornamental streetscape trees around the MARTA Plaza and anchoring the ends of E. Court Square and N. McDonough Street, as well as the lit garland on City Hall and the lighted bandstand.