A former annual event that rewarded the best holiday decorated homes in Picton has been revived and the results are in.

Earlier this month the Picton Recreation Committee announced the winners of the 2020 Holiday Home Decorating Contest. The tradition was revived prior to the Christmas holidays thanks in part to COVID-19 and usual celebrations being put on hold.

IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT – Bev Humphrey of the Picton Recreation Committee presents Mike Hanson and Diane Austin of Maitland St. with a Picton-area business gift certificate in honour of winning first price in the PRC’s 2020 Holiday Home Decorating contest. (Submitted Photo)

The PRC’s Debbie Rankin explained the committee tried different events in the last couple of years in absence of the contest but the pandemic offered an opportunity to bring back the neighbourly competition.

“Given the pandemic we revived this contest because it didn’t involve crowds of any kind,” Rankin said. “There were so many brightly decorated homes in Picton it took the judges a few nights to see them all.”

Selecting only the top three winners was difficult but in the end, Mike Hanson and Diane Austin’s Maitland St. home was selected as the best residential Christmas display in the town.

The Thompson house on Prospect St. was tabbed as second and the Markland home on West Mary St. was third.

Megan Smith’s display on East Mary St earned The Picton Santa Claus Parade People’s Choice Award for 2020.

“All of the winners were delighted and they were awarded gift cards from local businesses, which they selected in order,” Rankin added.

Blaine Thompson. (Submitted Photo)

The Marklands. (Submitted Photo)