Decked out for Channaholidays Holiday Home Decorating Contest

CHANNAHON – Kornell Lloyd of Channahon always has enjoyed decorating the inside of his home for Christmas. A house-flipper by profession, interior design is a favorite hobby.

But as he was running out of new challenges for his holiday decorating this year, Lloyd decided to take to the outside of his house for the first time. His wife, Vanessa, had been encouraging him to do just that for the past couple of years.

Next thing he knew, he got a call from the village of Channahon telling the newbie outdoor decorator that he had won first place in this year’s Channaholidays Holiday Home Decorating Contest.

“I’m excited about it,” Lloyd said of the recognition.

He had no intention of entering any competition when he began, he said, but his children told him about the contest and convinced him to enter.

Lloyd’s “decorations” are like nothing else in the village. They consist of large window displays in the style of the Christmas windows of downtown Chicago department stores.

“I thought about what everyone else was doing,” he said, “and I wanted to do the opposite.”

He said memories of growing up in Chicago and making trips to see the Marshall Field’s windows were his inspiration.

His originality was noted in the village of Channahon’s judges’ comments.

“Unique ‘State Street Style’ display with gorgeous white piano displayed, a large tree in the foyer with large wrapped gifts and toys displayed in windows ...” were some of the judges’ comments.

To achieve the effect, Lloyd constructed plywood boxes on the inside of his street-facing windows to form enclosures in which he placed such items as wrapped boxes, toys and even a dressed-up mannequin.

He was happy with the way they turned out until the first night he displayed them, and they all fogged up. He realized it was because there was no heat going into them, so he cut holes in the backs of the boxes and ran pipes from his heating vents into the displays.

He and Vanessa also made a 48-inch wreath from pool noodles, tulle, ornaments and stars, and they put the same tulle around the front door.

“We wanted to have everything custom,” he said, “and we wanted a clean, elegant, classy look.”

The family’s white baby grand piano also is highlighted in the home’s front window, wrapped with a big ribbon and lit up from inside.

The contest’s second-place winner was George Howard, who has placed in previous competitions several times, including taking first one year.

“We get into the contest about every other year,” Howard said. “It’s always great to be recognized for your efforts.”

The judges particularly liked Howard’s “classic old-time lights.”

He’s been decorating his homes for Christmas since he lived in the Marycrest subdivision in Joliet 22 years ago.

“I make a lot of my own stuff,” Howard said. “It’s really great to see that we create memories for people. We love it.”

Two homeowners tied for third place – Larry Kelm and Ariel dela Cruz.

“I’ve been decorating houses since I was growing up at home – for about 45 years,” Kelm said. “I inherited it from my mom. This was her favorite time of the year.”

Kelm said he has entered the contest several times, and this is the first time he placed. He said he has 8,000 to 9,000 LED lights in his decorations. His son helped him this year, but even so, he said he got a late start. He normally has everything ready to turn on at Thanksgiving, but this year it was Dec. 1.

His favorite is the big Christmas tree in front that is draped from a flagpole, which is new to his decorations this year.

“I just loved the way that turned out,” he said.

Judges’ comments were, “Lights flash to music. All of the lights in the display match, and the side of the garage has a spirited Merry Christmas greeting.”

Ariel dela Cruz said his children encouraged him to enter the contest, and they were excited to hear they had placed. Ariel and Amanda dela Cruz have four children, ages 12, 10, 6 and 5, and they help by putting the displays together in the garage and laying out the electrical cords in the yard.

“My favorite part is doing it with the kids,” he said. “We just love Christmas.”

“It keeps getting bigger every year,” Amanda said.

Judges’ comments included, “A Cubs fan favorite, with a “W” in white lights in the lawn. A snowman proudly displays a W flag, also.”

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CHANNAHOLIDAYS HOLIDAY HOME DECORATING CONTEST

• 1st place: Kornell Lloyd, 26322 W. Silver Stream Drive

• 2nd place: George Howard, 26033 S. Bluebird Court

• 3rd place (a two-way tie): Larry Kelm, 26156 S. Bell Road and

• Ariel dela Cruz, 26403 S. Ivy Lane

Honorable Mention: the subdivision Amberleigh Estates, 26848 W. Locust Road, for decorating the parkway trees