According to town special events coordinator Connie O’Dell, the annual Brightest Beacon on the Bay contest in Chesapeake Beach is evidence of “how much Christmas love there is in the community.”
For the 23rd year in a row, the town presented prizes to home and business owners whose holiday season decorations were deemed tops in the bayside municipality. The winners were announced Thursday, Dec. 20 prior to that evening’s town council meeting.
The categories are business, townhouse, house and boat. A grand prize—a best of show—is also awarded to the entry judged “Brightest Beacon on the Bay.”
In year’s past, boat owners have failed to participate. However, O’Dell said she and other judges found one vessel, Last One, moored at the Rod ‘N’ Reel Marina, decorated with Christmas lights. Although the boat’s owner, Joe Herbert, had not entered the competition, O’Dell and others convinced him to submit a form. The boat won the contest’s “Harbor Spirit Award.”
The winners were:
Business – Trader’s Seafood, Steak and Ale; first place;
Chesapeake Beach Care Drug, second place
Townhouse – Sandberg residence, Richfield Station subdivision, first place;
Zlotorzynski residence, Bayview Hills subdivision, second
