LAKEPORT – The ballots are in and the votes have been counted in the "People's Choice Awards" for the best displays at the first annual holiday avenue of lights at Lake County Fairgrounds.

 

A grand total of exactly 500 car loads of people drove through the holiday extravaganza at Lake County Fairgrounds during December, according to Fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons.

Each car load of patrons which entered the “Avenue of Lights" received a ballot with which to vote on the "People's Choice" for favorite displays. The top three displays have each earned an extra financial prize for the organization that built them.

The competitive nature of the People's Choice awards provided the nonprofit organizations with incentive to be as creative as possible with their displays, and gave them incentive to market the fundraiser to as many of their supporters as possible.

 

Maintaining their lead throughout the 10 nights of the Avenue of Lights, the Kelseyville Future Farmers of America topped the voting with 45 percent of the total votes.

The FFA's barnyard holiday scene included a large menagerie of lighted farm animal cutouts, a babbling brook, and a farmer on his tractor in front of his barn.

The first place award has netted an additional $250 to the FFA.

 

Second place in the balloting went to Hospice Services of Lake County, with 12 percent of the total votes.

The Hospice display, featuring a giant holiday tree ornament, gradually gained ground in the voting throughout the 10-day run.

The second place award has a value of $150 to Hospice Services of Lake County.

 

The third place award of $100 will go to the Scott's Valley 4-H Club, with the Holiday Carousel display.

The 4-H display narrowly edged out the patriotic "Home for the Holidays" scene from the Lakeport Women's Civic Club as well as the display from Konocti Christian Academy, which featured a church, a group of carolers, the Bethlehem star and a large arch which read "Peace on Earth." Both were close contenders in the balloting up until the final votes were counted.

Other displays included a pastoral display of a shepherd and his flock from the Clearlake Church of the Nazarene, and a nativity scene from the Knights of Columbus. Two more displays, an animated light train featuring Santa and several boxcar loads of gifts,and a Victorian skating scene, were put together by the Lakeport Women's Civic Club.

 

The Avenue of Lights opened Dec. 13 and ran through Dec. 22 at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

The lighting displays were provided by a grant for new activity programs at county fairgrounds in California, and will remain for use in future years.

The activity was a fundraiser for seven Lake County nonprofit organizations, and is expected to involve more groups providing additional displays in future years.

Organizations interested in producing a display should contact the Lake County Fair before April 1.

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