The sun was setting on Daisy Lane last weekend when I pulled up to judge their holiday lights contest. It’s a charming street in the Wrigley Neighborhood by day, but becomes a beautiful holiday wonderland come nightfall.
The Wrigley Association invited myself along with five others to judge the annual contest, and some residents were busy stringing up their lights to get ready for the contest. Others already had their displays in full swing by the time I’d arrived. I was ready to be impressed, and did not leave disappointed.
Gavin Mc Kiernan of the Wrigley Associated greeted me with a clipboard and a hot chocolate and explained the rules. A little more than a mile of streets to walk, and eight categories to grade each house. A perfect score was 80. I reasoned that with a semester-and-a-half of industrial design classes under my belt, my scores should carry more weight than the others. Gavin did not agree. The District Weekly’s Dave Wielenga joined Gavin and I as we cruised down Daisy, in search of the perfect decorations.
Immediately, my scores started off high. I was very impressed with the work of the Daisy Lane residents, not only with those who were extravagantly above and beyond, but many used fewer lights to still create a festive presentation. As the night darkened, more and more houses lit up, making Daisy Lane glow with red and green. This is no coincidence: it’s officially known as Long Beach’s Christmas Tree Lane, and people know it.
Several times, drivers pulled up alongside us to ask when the parade will be held (this Saturday, but info on that later). Others came up to us to ask what we were doing. When we said that we were judging the lights, one person yelled, “That’s tonight?!” and hurried home to finish his decorations. The city has already organized decorations on the street’s center divider, and Daisy Lane will be ready for its close-up during Saturday’s parade.
The parade will begin at 5:00pm and last until 8:00pm. Mayor Bob Foster and First Lady Nancy Foster will serve as Grand Marshalls, and special appearances are expected from bands, car clubs, police and fire, and a jolly bearded man in red.
After judging about thirty homes, the scores were getting close. Dave, Gavin and I traded judging tips as we tried to guess who would be victorious. Nearing the end of our journey, we came across two that jumped out into the lead with a wide array of decorations and clever lighting. They favored one while I chose the other.
The most difficult part of the night came as we added up over forty scores, each from six judges (we’re all terrible at math). In the end, the Salazars at 2055 Daisy emerged victorious, after receiving top honors from Dave, Gavin and Frank Buono of Buono’s Pizza. Tim Patton from the 7th District Council Office, Nick Diamantides of the Signal Tribune and myself favored the runners-up at 2336 Daisy, who probably wish that Gavin would have approved my ratings scale request. Both winners went home happy as the Salazars were awarded with a plaque and $150, plus an hour of decorating consultation and several gift certificates. Second and third place winners received $100 and $50, respectively.
So get out your clipboards, and when you attend this Saturday’s Daisy Lane Parade, let us know who you think deserves Best Christmas Tree Lane Decoration honors. Can anyone dethrone 2055 Daisy?
Story and photos by Ryan ZumMallen