Take the Holiday House Decorating Tour

For the second year in a row, Branford’s most creative and festive have hauled out the holly, thousands of lights and hundreds of blow-up lawn decorations to participate in the contest.

Fifteen families participated in the contest, which was judged last week by Parks & Rec Assistant Director Dale Izzo and Department Program Coordinator Victor Amatori (Patch rode along to take pictures).

Thomas DeLuca of 150 Goldsmith Rd., and this time around, brought home the gold for Best Holiday Spirit. He was ousted from the throne by Carol Brockett of 4 Milo Dr., who won the Overall category. Kevin Nelson of 32 Milo Dr., won for Technological Fantasy, Mary Point Strong of 12 Indian Neck Ave., won for Most Beautiful and Don Gentile of 40 Averill Pl., won for Most Captivating.

What do the participants actually win? Well, winners get trophies and all decorators receive ribbons; the best prize however is bragging rights.

Still reeling from the fun of last year, DeLuca said he and his daughter, Briana DeLuca, set out to make their house more magical than last year. To add an extra element they also decorated a plastic bin and are accepting donations to the Branford Food Pantry at their house.

The DeLucas have also taken advantage of Patch’s first-ever contest and submitted a video of their home to the site. Nationwide, now through Dec. 26, people are encouraged to entered photos of videos of their decorated homes. An entry will put participants in the running to win $100,000 for their hometown school district (one prize nationally) or one of 24, $500-credits for electric bills for the month of December.

Voting locally takes place now so if want to support Branford, get online and vote for the DeLucas! Twenty-four finalists will then be entered into the National Voting process which takes place Dec. 10-Jan.8 to determine the overall winner.

We hope you enjoy the tour of the decorated homes around town through this interactive map, congratulate the winners of the Park & Rec contest and encourage your friends and neighbors to enter their homes to Patch’s Deck the House contest to help Branford secure $100,000 for our schools!

Park & Rec Winners

Overall Winner

Carol Brockett, 4 Milo Drive

Technological Fantasy

Kevin Nelson, 32 Milo Drive 

Most Beautiful

Mary Pont Strong, 12 Indian Neck Avenue

Most Captivating

Don Gentile, 40 Averill Place

Best Holiday Spirit

Thomas DeLuca, 150 Goldsmith Road

Most Creative

Lee Lionetti, 293 Thimble Island Road