Sunday, November 15, 2026
2024 Marco Island Christmas House and Business Decorating Contest Committee Members
Front row from left: Rachel Schenk and Mary Shaw.
Middle row from left: Mindy Star, Lilibeth Nordell, Linda Turner, Jeanne Rice, Judy Sacher, and Lyn Bedel.
Back from left: Roger Star, Christina Lambros-Creach, Ken Honecker, De Honecker, Larry Sacher, Betty Newman, Russ Simmons, Jackie Strategos, Brad Shaw, Richard Droste, and Bob Boland.
Not Pictured: Dave Rice, Sandy Dauch, Jerry Swiacki, Lauri Kalanges, Mary Vertin, Bruce Robinson, Steve Joselyn, Bette McGilvrey, Mike and Gerry Richards, Jim and Allyson Richards, and Marc Creach.
The 31st annual Marco Island Christmas House and Business Contest Committee met at the Esplanade at CJ’s and Sami’s to celebrate “Christmas in July.” The evening, organized by Committee member Judy Sacher, included cocktails at CJ’s followed by dinner at Sami’s. Committee Chairman Dave Rice announced the dates and plans for this year’s contest which is in its 31st year of sponsorship by LCEC.
The dates for the 2024 Christmas House and Business Decorating Judging are as follows:
December 16-18 - Preliminary Judging on all 3 nights from 6:30- 9:30 PM.
December 20 - Final Judging Trolley Ride to select the 2024 House Decorating Winner.
The contest begins with three nights of preliminary judging. The Island is divided into nine zones and judging teams select the top contenders in each zone by visiting every street on the island. The third night of preliminary judging selects the top ten from the top contenders from the zone judging.
“Last year we counted over 1,694 decorated homes as the community “Lights Up for Christmas,” said Rice.
The Business Decorating Contest is held concurrently with the House Contest and is chaired by Marc and Cristina Lambros-Creach and assisted by Mindy and Roger Star. The Marco Island Chamber of Commerce assists with distributing contest information to local business members.
The Christmas Decorating Committee will next meet in November at their annual Potluck dinner to finalize plans and review procedures for the 2024 judging. Members of the committee include: Dave and Jeanne Rice, Bob Boland and Lyn Bedel, Bette McGilvray and Steve Josselyn, Marc Creach and Christina Lambros, Sandy Dauch, Ken and Diane Honecker, Jerry Swiacki and Linda Turner, Larry and Judy Sacher, Bruce Robertson, Mary Vertin, Rachel Schenk, Lilibeth Nordell, Jacki Strategos and Richard Droste, Lauri Kalanges, Betty Newman and Russ Simmons, Jim and Allyson Richards, Mindy Star, Roger Star, Mike and Gerry Richards, Brad and Mary Shaw, and Marlene Eichman.
The Christmas House and Business Decorating Committee is an independent organization funded solely by 31-year sponsor Lee County Electric Cooperative. For further information contact Committee Chair, Dave Rice at www.marcodave@comcast.net.
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