'Awards' for Oakley's holiday displays'Awards' for Oakley's holiday displaysDecember 19, 2003
Welcome to the fifth annual Oakley Holiday Lights Tour. For the past few weeks I have been receiving comments from people on how I should write this tour up. Over the years I have presented it in a drive-around-town fashion, a random look at the highlights, and even depicted my own version of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. This year I have decided to present my own Academy Awards for some of the most noteworthy displays.
First let me say that the displays this year were all bright and lovely. While in past years many people put together quite a few wood cutouts of favorite cartoon and Christmas characters, the displays we saw this year were tended more toward traditional mini light strings, rope lights and inflatable plastic Santas and snowmen. Almost every neighborhood one would drive through will be a sight for everyone to see. And now, the envelope please...
The first award is in honor of our new governor -- the "Arnold Schwarzenegger Pump You Up" award, dedicated to the house with the most large inflatable displays. This one goes to a house on West Cypress Road just before O'Hara Avenue that features three blow-ups including the popular Santa, Frosty and a different kind of Micky Mouse on a sleigh that was displayed on the roof.
The "Tenth Reindeer" award goes to 1756 Concannon Drive in the Vintage Parkway subdivision for having the most delightful reindeer display. From the street we counted eight including wood cutouts and the lighted variety. The house also has several other eye-grabbing features with lights and characters.
The "Does PG&E Allow An Installment Plan?" award could easily go to many displays throughout the city, but one of the nicest light displays, which has been for many years, is on the corner of Gamay and Teakwood drives. There are lights throughout the yard, draped on the fence area and all over the house, from the roof to the sidewalk.
The "Who Needs A White Christmas" award goes to the most colorful display. There were two that stood out above the rest, one located at the corner of Weibel Circle and Concannon Drive and the other at 4820 Trenton Street. Both were beautiful displays with lighted characters and other delights.
In 2001, Oakley had some of the nicest patriotic displays you will ever see. Some are still around. The "We'll Always Remember" award this year goes to 1810 Gamay Drive, which has two lighted flags on the roof.
The "O' Christmas Tree" award goes to 969 Stonegate Circle, which has a lovely decorated tree in the front yard along with wood cutouts of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and more.
There were many displays featuring religious symbolism, but by far the "Away In The Manger" award goes to 1381 Bynum Way in the Vintage Parkway area. The family built a church and a lighted manger that was raised above yard level and surrounded by lighted Wise Men and barn animals.
The "Dashing Through The Sand" award for the best demonstration of Oakley spirit goes to the families on Reisling Court who put together displays featuring Christmas greetings in a half-dozen languages.
The "Most Unique Display" award goes to a house by the corner of Fetzer Court. I have seen a lot of wood cutout characters over the years, but the Heat Miser and Winter Warlock from the cartoon classic "The Year Without A Santa Claus" were a first and a welcome surprise.
The "First Noel" award is presented to a new home resident in Oakley and goes to the new subdivision at the end of Hill and Malicoat avenues. A special "Santa Pump You Up" award goes to 558 Malicoat Avenue. They have Grinch, Frosty and Santa blow-ups out on their lawn.
The double winner of the "For Kids From 1 To 92" award and the "I Cleaned Out The Plywood Department At Home Depot" award goes to the house on the corner of Chianti Way and Zinfandel Drive for its fabulous display with Looney Tunes and Christmas characters that the young at heart will enjoy.
And finally, the "Grinch's Green With Envy" award for the best display in Oakley goes to the 2200 block of El Lago Drive. While it would be easy to pick out just one of those displays as the best, the bigger picture with all the decorations on both sides of the street makes quite a sight.
Remember, no Holiday Light Tour of Oakley would be complete without the family and some warm hot chocolate. Have a wonder holiday.
Roni Gehlke's column on life in Oakley appears each week in the Brentwood News.
Distributed by the Contra Costa Times