44398724
’Tis the season to decorate! At least it was during Lower Moyamensing Civic Association’s second annual holiday decorating contest. The contest to promote holiday cheer was open to residences and businesses within the association’s boundaries that run from Snyder to Oregon avenues and Broad to Eighth streets.
“Our creative contests had a wide range of decorations including lights, greenery, Santas and more,” LoMo board member Meg Retz from the 1200 block of Durfor Street said. “Both our residential and merchant first place winners celebrated this sweet season with candy-themed decorations. They looked good enough to eat.”
LoMo board members and residents felt the wintry chill as they walked the streets gazing at festive windows and storefronts during a voting tour to chose the winners Dec. 13. Eight judges gave a critical eye to the contest consisting of not just LoMo board members and residents but also Zoe Strauss, a local photographer and founder of the Philadelphia Public Art Project, and Renee Pokorny, acting library supervisor of Fumo Family Branch, 2437 S. Broad St.
Each judge scored on a scale from one to five and listed his or her favorite display overall. Contestants were judged on theme/creativity, originality, lighting, and full use of space.
Decked out in candyland wonderment, first place in the merchant category went to Reputations Hair Salon, 1215 Snyder Ave., while the top prize in the residential category and people’s choice award went to Josephine Michetti from the 1100 block of Fitzgerald Street.
“A girl up the street put a form in my mailbox. My sons were saying, ‘enter!’ she said. “I was shocked when the girl came to my house Saturday and told me I won.”
Michetti purchased some of the materials but also made some of decorations herself over the course of about three days.
“I like decorating and every year I like to do something differrent, so I did candy,” Michetti, who has resided in her home for the past 30 years, said. “Even the inside of my house is candy, my tree, the banisters.”
Second prize was awarded to Jane & Guy Di Spigno of the 1200 block of Jackson Street. Joseph and Shawn Roccuzzo from the 2400 block of South 12th Street won third place. Honorable mentions went to Carmen and Karen Rossi of the 2500 block of South Eighth Street, Dominic Lupica Jr. and family from the 2400 block of South Juniper Street, Gary and Maria Lubbers of the 2500 block of South Mildred Street and Jason Giancaterino and Emilyn Bunyi of the 2400 block of South Hutchinson Street.
Contest prizes were donated by local businesses and included gift certificates to Shop-Rite, Los Gallos, Hot Hands, Jean Paul Salon, Big Dan’s, and the annual LoMo flea market.
“Both our judges and contestants had a great time,” Retz said. “It is so wonderful to share the enthusiasm and creativity of our neighbors this holiday season. SPR
44398714
