In what the Park District of Forest Park described as a “quite literally a photo finish,” the annual holiday home decorating contest ended in a tie for a first time in its 19-year history.
Normally, the park district staff picks the overall winner, and the home that got the most votes on its Facebook page is declared “People’s Choice.” But, this time around, the house at 1035 Elgin Ave. and the house at 1540 Elgin Ave. both got 160 votes. As the park district announced on the Facebook page, it was clear that the “people have spoken” and both houses were declared winners of the overall prize and the People’s Choice award.
The house at 1035 Elgin Ave. features an elaborate light-up display with a snowman, Stata’s sleigh and Christmas tees next to the house with a nativity scene in the front.
The house at 1540 Elgin Ave. features lit-up snowmen, a Santa, a polar bear, a penguin and even a lit-up image of Buddy, the protagonists of 2003 Will Ferrel Christmas comedy “Elf.”
The prize? Gift baskets.
In the announcement, the park district celebrated all contestants.
“Thank you to all of our homes who entered,” officials wrote. “Each display helped provide a little extra light to this holiday season!”
Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin left her congratulations on Facebook.
“Well done!” she wrote. “So many beautiful homes this year it was definitely hard to choose!”
For the complete list of all contestants, see https://bit.ly/2023HolidayDecorMap