Light competition winners announced

Dana and Phil Larcomb's home took top honors in Charles Town, as part of this year's Charles Town/Ranson Christmas Light Competition. Courtesy photo
CHARLES TOWN — Hundreds of individuals traveled around Charles Town and Ranson to see the beautiful Christmas lights — and to vote for their favorites. The competition, in its second year, saw over 100 entries, many focusing on the theme of the holiday season, A Very Buddy Christmas. But many simply brought brightness in all fashion.
Spectators were allowed one vote per person, selecting their top picks for both Charles Town and Ranson. The selection of the Best Griswold and Best Light Show could come from either town, as could the design for the best theme. An overall Best Neighborhood was also in the running.
“We had over 250 votes,” said Downtown Coordinator for the City of Charles Town Liz Cook. “We are lucky to have such creative and festive community members that work so hard to create such wonderful light displays.”
The competition sprang from the Covid-19 pandemic last in 2020 when people were not likely to gather, yet still wanted to participate in festive activities.
“This contest is one good thing that came from Covid. It allowed people to slow down and renew old traditions of riding around and looking at holiday lights,” Cook said, adding that the organizers of the event, both from Charles Town and the Ranson Convention and Visitors Bureau, have heard many stories about how this is now a tradition for families.
One family who has made it a tradition is the Larcomb family. Phil and Dana Larcomb’s home in Charles Town was selected as the first-place winner for that town.
“We do this because our grandchildren love he lights,” Dana said. “And we do, too.”
Dana explained that they try to have the lights up by Thanksgiving, so their grandchildren can then enjoy walking through them.
“This is what it’s all about, watching their faces light up,” Dana said.
Dana said her granddaughter, Kynleigh Milburn, and her friends, Grace and Roman Perez, decorated the candy cane forest section of the yard with their vision of a scene from the “Buddy the Elf” movie. In addition, Phil added a tunnel over the driveway, which thrilled not only the children, but many who drove past and stopped to walk through.
“Phil named it the Tuscawilla Tunnel of Lights,” Dana said.
While the Larcombs took first place honors with their Lindsey Drive home, Mike Peacock on Lord Fairfax Street came in second place and Chanell Cain at Wood End Court came in third place, in the individual competition within Charles Town.
Tuscawilla Hills was a popular spot, as Chad Cook on Tuscawilla Drive won in the Best Light Show category. Mary Diperna, on Sawgrass Drive, was voted the Best Griswold house.
Santa’s Pick in Charles Town could be found on Silverleaf Drive at the home of Heather Holloman, while Mrs. Claus selected Virginia Bauer’s place on South George Street as her favorite. Buddy’s pick could be found on Veronica Lane, at the home of Jake Bolen, while Stephanie Frye on Tuscawilla Drive received an honorable mention. The Best Neighborhood award was a very tight race, and went to Huntfield.
The Best Business selection went to Jefferson Security Bank/Kable Team Realty.
In Ranson, the Best Neighborhood honors went to Briar Run with first place overall going to Kelly Kehoe on Bugs Court. Second place was found on East 12th Street at the home of Ervin Jenkins and voters went back to Briar Run to Thumper Court for third place winners Mark and Chelsie Walsh.
The Best Light Show for Ranson could be found at Deep Creek at the home of Wesley Wildrick and the Best Griswold on Glenbrook at Moises Cardenas’ home.
Santa’s Pick in Ranson went to Johnnie Mills on Preston Street, while Mrs. Claus chose Tommy Custer’s home on North Reymann as her favorite. Buddy’s Pick went to the Jefferson County Council on Aging on 5th Avenue.
Residents will receive cash prizes, according to Cook, while neighborhoods will receive a sign to display.