Sweet Win for Sheffield Avenue Home

The judges rode in the open-air trolley in temperatures in the low-60s, while a convoy of 11 vehicles trailed behind them throughout the island, deciding which home would win the 2022 Christmas Home Decorating Contest.

The judges had already whittled things down the top 10 eligible homes on the island. So Friday night’s judging was the best of the best.

Only the eligible homes were judged. The contest has a five year sit out clause for the winners. Officials encourage you to visit the past winners, too, because they continue to go all out with their decorating, even when they’re not eligible for the contest.

“I think the island has finally been lit up,” said longtime organizer Dave Rice. “I’ve never seen so many lights as I have tonight. And, as you can tell by driving around, every part of this island participated. It wasn’t just one area. The winning family is a family who just loves it - and boy, they did it right! He was determined to win.”

The winning family was the Hager family at 1955 Sheffield Avenue. As the trolley arrived to present the winners with their trophy, sign and plaque, the Hager children were elated. “We’re the winners, we’re the winners!” they shouted.

For Tim Hager, the win was the culmination of a lot of years of hard work.

“This our fifth year decorating,” Hager said, “we’ve been finalists the past three years. We’re ecstatic. I really can’t believe it. Four years ago we only had about 15 decorations. Then we went to 250. We had 500 last year. We actually cut it back to 450 this year. It was too much last year. We wanted to make better scenes this year. Really highlight some of the pieces better.

So what is Hager’s most proud feature?

“Candyland,” he said without hesitation. “We’ve got gumdrops, candy canes, peppermints, gingerbread, and ice cream, of course. We’ve got to have ice cream.”

Hager is the owner of Sweet Annie’s ice cream parlor on the island.