The winner of Poplar Bluff’s first Light Fight is a home already well known to those who like to see holiday decorations in all shapes and sizes.
Greg Carda claimed first prize for the decorations on his 1250 Barron Road lawn, which was graced in October by a 35-foot inflatable Michael Myers and is now lit up with similarly sized Christmas characters.
Carda’s Grinch, Santa, Rudolph and Abominable Snowman received the most likes on the PB Light Fight’s Facebook page, earning him a $700 cash prize.
The event, organized by Samantha Knuckles and Jerrica Fox, saw a tremendous response from both those with displays and viewers, according to the pair. Nearly 70 entries were received.
Carda’s was the first to receive 500 likes, and had 1,800 by Friday morning.
“It’s been incredible,” said Fox, who has credited Knuckles for getting the ball rolling on this event. “I couldn’t believe and was so happy to see 67 entries come in.
“I hope this was something fun for the community and that (it) continues to grow each year.”
Speaking of growing, the winner of the Most Shares Prize was a set of homes at 38 Highway AA, where the Divine and Keele families have been adding to their display since 2009.
The area includes extensive decorations across the families’ yards, including a 50-foot light tree — double the height the family started with — and dozens of Christmas characters, including Santa and reindeer, as well as manger scenes.
“We get lots of visitors,” said Cyndi Keele, whose father Rusty Divine started the display.
Divine began decorating when Keele’s son Riley — now 14 — was born. There are so many decorations, the family isn’t always able to get them all up.
“I think this year we put more out than we usually do,” Keele said. “We usually have stuff that we don’t get to.”
The light tree has long been Riley’s favorite part of the display, but every visitor likely has their own most-liked part.
It wasn’t even completely dark when vehicles began arriving for the first night of the display, Keele said.
“A lot of people don’t realize we’re not going to be upset if they come down. We just ask that people drive slow,” she said. “(Sometimes) they get down the driveway and then realize it’s a driveway and they panic.”
Others involved in the Light Fight have probably enjoyed the same experience as the Keeles and Divines over the years, listening as children and families exclaim over the displays.
“I thought (the Light Fight) was a really great idea,” Keele said, adding she didn’t realize how many other homes were decorating. “It makes it seem a little bit more like an old-time Christmas.”
The second place winner with the most likes was 469 County Road 448, and the third place winner 485 County Road 4412.
Other winners have drawn for additional prizes.
Prizes were made available through the generosity of sponsors of the event, including: Larry Hillis; The Camp; PB RV; Ross Fuel Center; The Chamber; Got Foam?; Little Mules Academy; Henderson Auto Sales; Mimi’s Market & Royal Cafe; Body Burn Bootcamp; KAJACS; Rushin Towing; Colton’s Steakhouse; the Daily American Republic; Myrtles Place; Southeast Signs & Graphics; Pampered Paws Grooming & Daycare; Day One Chiropractic; and Pizza Inn.
To see more entries or a map of the displays, visit https://www.facebook.com/pblightfight.
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