Paris, Tenn.—Over the past two nights, members of the Historic Atkins-Porter Neighborhood Association have been spreading holiday cheer by handing out this year’s trophies in the neighborhood’s annual lighting contest.
Association President Rachel Terrell noted that the Atkins-Porter Neighborhood is currently aglow with thousands of lights and invited the public to visit the neighborhood this holiday season. The lights will remain up through New Year’s Day.
This year’s winners:
BEST PORCH was won by Laura Nash, who recently moved to Edgewood Street. “My fiancé, Trevor Cloar and I have been doing a lot of remodeling” she said. With classic, white lights and red velvet bows adorning the porch, it’s clear that Nash is devoted to her historic bungalow at 332 Edgewood.
BEST YARD was won by the Hoppers at 337 Edgewood Street. The decorators in the family are Chris and son, Payton, but Shannon and son, Dallas clearly enjoy the visual rewards. Along with hundreds of lights and candy canes, Santa will love the six-foot tall “Welcome” sign out front.
With other brightly lit, well-designed displays to their credit, Edgewood was named MOST APPEALING STREET, but these were not the only creative individuals in the neighborhood.
A few streets over, neighbor Phillip Weaver turned his family’s home at 403 Walnut into a brightly illuminated, Christmas postcard for his sons, Ryan and Hunter. “Phillip did it all,” said his wife, Nikki, who said she drove in from work after all the lights were up and “thought the house was on fire.” The heart of the display, which was chosen as BEST HOUSE, is Santa perched on top of the home. How did he figure out the secret to that trick? “Well, let’s just say that it helps if you have a satellite dish on your roof,” laughed Weaver.
The CLARK GRISWOLD AWARD, a new trophy for 2018, was won by the Painter family on 206 Blakemore Street. Past winners, James and Heather, along with daughter Leighann pointed out decorations that were new this year, including Santa on a Harley, a rotating Christmas tree on the porch, a horse and sleigh, and more.
Another new award, BEST RELIGIOUS DECORATIONS was won by the Price family of 422 Whitehall Circle. While a silhouette of the nativity is projected onto the families’ double-front door, there are also myriad lights. “Probably around 10,000,” said Kevin, who has enjoyed stringing Christmas lights since he and his brothers decorated their family home in Jackson, TN. Now with his own family, Price, his wife, Kayla, their son, Brighton and daughter, Riley are carrying on the tradition.
By their own admission, Melvin and Patty Roney, recipients of the JUDGES’ FAVORITE award put a lot of time into their display. “We go all out for Halloween, but Christmas is Patty’s thing,” said Melvin. After the holidays last year, they went shopping and the result, which includes a hot air balloon and synchronized music, will tickle anyone who drives or strolls by 312 Head Street.
Along with Edgewood, streets that are especially merry include Dunlap, Jackson, Walnut, Blanton, Head and Whitehall. Members of the HAPNA Board of Directors were ineligible to win.
2018 Historic Atkins-Porter Neighborhood Association Christmas Lighting Contest winning addresses:
BEST PORCH – 332 Edgewood
BEST YARD – 337 Edgewood Street
BEST HOUSE – 403 Walnut Street
CLARK GRISWOLD AWARD – 206 Blakemore Street
BEST RELIGIOUS DECORATIONS – 422 Whitehall Circle
MOST APPEALING STREET – Edgewood
JUDGES’ FAVORITE – 312 Head Street
Mel and Patty Roney accept their award for Judge’s Favorite.
Laura Nash accepts her award from Susan Jones and Vickey Roberts for Best Porch.
Top photo: The Painter family on Blakemore accepts the Clark Griswold Award from Vickey Roberts and Susan Jones while Rachel Terrell takes a photo. (Shannon McFarlin photos).
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