Photos by Trebor Britt
A huge thank you to all participants of the 2018 Siesta Key Condo Council Holiday Lighting Contest for putting on another magical Christmas lights display and for all the judges who’ve been tasked with determining the winners. Bragging rights for the 2018 SKCC Holiday Lighting Contest are as follows:
Category 1: More than 101 units.
1st place – (Tie) Excelsior (volunteers) and Peppertree Bay
3rd place – Siesta Dunes
Category 2: 51 – 100 units.
1st place – Island House Beach Resort
2nd place – Crescent Arms
3rd place – La Siesta
Category 3: 3 – 50 units.
1st place – Sea Shell Condos
2nd place – Sandpiper Beach Club
3rd. place – Coquille (volunteers)
Volunteer Category
1st place – Excelsior
2nd place – Bay Tree
3rd place – Coquille
Co-sponsored by: Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and Siesta Sand
A Siesta Trolley Christmas
By Cindi Kievit
‘Twas the festive holiday season and all over the Key,
Light displays were– shining, with many a Christmas tree.
Santas and reindeer, and wreaths full of snow
Are well represented in this lovely light show.
The annual contest began, condos entered in groups,
Volunteers and staffers rushed to work, all jumping through hoops.
Next came the pine boughs and decorative holly
To be viewed by the judges aboard the Siesta Trolley.
The judges stepped onto the trolley, lit up for the season,
And we broke out the eggnog, for an obvious reason.
The beautiful entrance at Whispering Sands was really a breeze,
Then we were greeted by Sunset Royal among the cute palm trees.
Harbour Town’s red palm trees and La Siesta’s snowman,
And Gulf & Bay’s white palms and colorful fountains, Oh man!
Santa and blow-up minions at Casablanca, lined with canes of candy
Rivaled the snowmen with Santa and his reindeer at Beach Haven – how dandy!
Then there was the magnificent 3-D lighting extravaganza at Peppertree,
At Island House, we saw snowmen, a holiday train, and “Siesta Santa.” Whee!
Kaleidoscope lights and snowflakes at Siesta Dunes, quite sassy,
And oversized ornaments in their bushes were unique and classy.
Crescent Arms presented colorful lighted shrubs and palms, Oh gee!
While Seashell sported a Santa entrance and a sweet wall display tree.
We had to peer up high atop Sandpiper to view Santa and a huge white cross.
Did I mention the eggnog? Looking up, one judge dropped his clipboard from the bus!
Bay Tree’s carolers sang “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and “Jingle Bells,”
And offered us sweet treats among the lovely lights – it was swell.
Midnight Cove flaunted an entrance wreath and gorgeous white lights,
And Coquille’s palms were white topped with green – oh, what a sight!
At Excelsior, we were greeted by carolers bearing cookies and wine,
They invited us back to their charming, romantic walkway – that was fine!
Back onto the trolley the judges climbed, out of sight,
Saying, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”