Marco Island 2022 Christmas Decorating Contest Planned

The 29th annual Marco Island Christmas House and Business Decorating Contest Committee met at the Esplanade at CJ’s and Mango’s on July 20th to celebrate “Christmas in July,” a planning and socializing event organized by committee member Judy Sacher. 

Committee Chairman Dave Rice announced these dates for the 2022 Christmas House and Business Decorating Judging. 

December 12th to the 14th – Preliminary Judging begins all three nights from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. December 16th – Final Judging Trolley Ride to select the 2022 House Decorating Winner.

The contest begins with the Preliminary Judging of Houses and Businesses on December 12 and 13 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. For the house decorating contest, the Island is divided into nine zones and judging teams select the top contenders in each zone by visiting every street on the island. A second round of preliminary judging on December 14 selects the top ten from the top contenders from the zone judging.

The Final Judging to determine the 2022 Champion is on December 16 with the judges visiting the Top 10 homes via Santa’s Christmas Trolley. The judges’ bus departs from the First Horizon Bank parking area at 6:30 PM for those that wish to join in the parade.

Said Rice, “We hope to exceed last year’s record number of homes (2,015) and businesses (150) judged as the community ‘Lights Up For Christmas’.”

 At the Christmas in July gathering, Co-Chair Dave Rice welcomed and introduced new committee member, Rachel Schenk, Retail Relationship Manager of the Marco Branch of First Horizon Bank to the committee. “Having a representative of First Horizon Bank is an important addition to the committee,’ says Rice. First Horizon Bank sponsors the Committee’s Finals Night Kick-Off Event as the committee selects the 2022 House Decorating Winner. 

The Christmas Decorating Committee will next meet in November at their annual Pot Luck dinner to finalize plans and procedures for the 2022 judging. Members of the committee include Dave and Jeanne Rice, Bob Boland and Lyn Bedell, Bette McGilvray and Steve Josselyn, Marc Creach and Kristina Lambros, Keith and Barbara Dameron, Sandy Dauch, Ken and Diane Honecker, Jerry Swiacki and Linda Turner, Larry and Judy Sacher, Bruce Robertson, Mary Vertin, Rachel Schenk, Jacki Stratego and Richard Droste, Carla and Mike Mickes, Lauri Kalanges, Betty Newman and Russ Simmons, and Debbie and Marty Roddy. 

The Christmas House and Business Decorating Committee is an independent organization funded by 29-year sponsor Lee County Electric Cooperative. Sponsorship of the Finals Night Social is by First Horizon Bank. The Marco Island Chamber of Commerce is instrumental in keeping business members informed of the details of the Business Contest. 

For information contact Chairman, Dave Rice at marcodave@comcast.net.