Celebrating a third Christmas season, eight families have volunteered to participate in Columbia County’s annual Christmas Light Fight to display unique holiday decorations.
Pile into a car with family and friends to see all eight homes on one easy route, before voting to select a winner for the community’s favorite house.
Families included in the competition are: the Chaney family at 4576 Colonial Road, the Dukes family at 520 Jutland Way, the Flugan family at 4512 Coldwater St., the Harper family at 5196 Windmill Place, the Houk family at 910 Windmill Lane, the Jefferies family at 1417 Dooley Lane, the Roberts family at 3927 Marsella Ave. and the White family at 818 Brasstown Court.
Beginning as the festive way to keep the holiday spirit alive during COVID, the competition continues an exclusive community tradition complete with an online interactive map.
For participant Walter Dukes, a CSRA native and father, the Christmas Light Fight allows for several families to bond and easily share their displays with hundreds in the community to spread joy.
“Being a part of the Light Fight this year has gotten our name and address out there so more folks could see the display, and we really do it to spread Christmas cheer,” he said. “There’s so many reasons to be down and depressed this time of year, but hopefully we can be at least a little spark of cheer during the holiday season.”
As the years pass, Dukes said he hopes more families get involved in the future to make the route even longer and more entertaining. Although his family starts planning their display in February and setting up two to three weeks in advance, Dukes said not everyone has to have thousands of lights and complicated shows.
“You don’t have to have the biggest display to be a part of Christmas … it takes all the Christmas displays and lights to make the season.” he said. “For me, some of the more simple displays are the ones that really bring joy and a smile to my face. I love seeing a neighbor that might be next to a big display just having a Grinch stealing lights. Those make me laugh every time.”
To Dukes, exciting his and other family’s children is the most important part of the competition, and he hopes everyone leaves his street with a smile on their face.
Voting for the Christmas Light Fight ends at midnight on Sunday, Dec. 17, with the winner announced on Wednesday, Dec. 20, and awarded a winter basket as well as Christmas bragging rights.
Those who cannot make it out to see the bright displays are encouraged to cast their vote online at https://arcg.is/1aranm0.
To view an interactive light map for several displays in Columbia County, visit: https://christmas-in-columbia-county-columbiagagis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/christmas-light-tour.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com.
