Paris, Tenn.–The Paris Board of Public Utilities and the Historic Atkins-Porter Neighborhood Association have partnered on a Christmas outing that the entire community will enjoy. The neighborhood’s annual Gift of Light runs nightly through Wednesday, January 1.
“We are so happy to be partnering with the Association for this traditional event,” said BPU General Manager Terry Wimberley. “These neighbors have done a tremendous job.”
Association President Rachel Terrell invited the community to drive or stroll through the historic neighborhood and “get in the Christmas spirit. There’s something for everyone from traditional lighted decorations to blow up characters that youngsters will recognize and love. Some even play music,” she said.
Seven award winners were chosen by two out-of-town judges, and trophies were presented over the weekend by Wimberley, Terrell and other neighbors.
The BEST PORCH award was presented to Charles and Carolyn Folks at 307 Jackson Street. The out-of-town judges said they were impressed by the elegant simplicity of these decorations. The Folks retired to Paris and have enjoyed remodeling their home which is among the oldest in the neighborhood.
The BEST YARD award went to James and Heather Painter at 206 Blakemore Street. “It would be hard to see everything in this yard by just driving by. You really need to just stop and take it all in,” said a judge.
With an array of brightly lit homes to its credit, Walnut was named MOST APPEALING STREET. Judges were impressed that they could travel the entire length of Walnut and always be in sight of Christmas lights. “We also loved the picture window at 317 Walnut, which features a rotating display of Christmas scenes, including Santa, stain glass windows, a snowfall and more. Don’t miss it,” they said.
With lights from stem to stern, the Price family of 422 Whitehall Circle was the winner of the BEST HOUSE AWARD. Last year, Kevin, who enjoys carrying on his family’s tradition of lighted Christmas decorations won the BEST RELIGIOUS AWARD.
The CLARK GRISWOLD AWARD, which was introduced last year, was won by the Jesse Nichols family on 1001 East Blythe. A first-time winner, Nichols said he’d been decorating for years, but he’s gradually stepped it up. “I do it for the children. Lots of people travel East Blythe Street and it’s fun to watch the kids looking out at our decorations,” he said.
The BEST RELIGIOUS AWARD was presented to Melvin and Patty Roney at 312 Head Street. While this yard offers plenty of modern-day merriment, including synchronized music, it was the old-fashioned nativity scene tucked next the house that reminded the judges of their childhood. “As long as Patty wants to decorate for Christmas, I’ll do it,” laughed Melvin, who received the Judges’ Favorite in 2018.
With a snowman and Santa on either side of the sidewalk to welcome visitors, The JUDGES’ FAVORITE AWARD was given to first-time winner, Joseph Guffey for hundreds of colorful lights displayed on the yard and house. “It’s not a fancy display, but it’s big and bright and colorful and took me straight back to my childhood,” said one judge. Guffey said that he and his wife and their four children all had a hand in the festive project.
Along with the winning homes, streets that have merry displays include Dunlap, Jackson, Walnut, Boundbrook Drive, Blanton, Head, East Wood and Whitehall. Members of the Association’s Board of Directors were ineligible to win.
2019 Historic Atkins-Porter Neighborhood Association Christmas Lighting Contest winning addresses:
BEST PORCH – 307 Jackson Street
BEST YARD – 206 Blakemore Street
BEST HOUSE – 422 Whitehall Circle
CLARK GRISWOLD AWARD – 1001 East Blythe
BEST RELIGIOUS DECORATIONS – 312 Head Street
MOST APPEALING STREET – Walnut Street
JUDGES’ FAVORITE – 329 Edgewood Street
The neighborhood is bordered by Dunlap, East Wood and Veterans Drive.
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