Old Towne Preservation Association
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Old Towne Orange Holiday Decorating Contest!

2019 Old Towne Orange Holiday Decorating Contest!!

And the Winners are...

  • Most Beautiful ~ 258 North Center
  • Most Old Fashioned ~ 714 East Maple
  • Best Use of Lights ~ 339 East Palmyra
  • Most Original ~ 305 East Palmyra
  • Most Whimsical ~ 536  East Maple
  • Best Block ~ 200 Block of North Pine
  • Honorable Mention ~ 300 Block of South Pixley
  • Most Festive (Commercial) ~ 480 North Glassell ~ The Arco Station!

We have several honorable mentions as well -- They are:
  • 157 North Pine ~ Honorable Mention for Whimsical
  • 229 North Pine ~ Honorable Mention for Whimsical
  • 331 South Pixley ~ Honorable Mention for Original
  • 473-475 South Lemon ~ Honorable Mention for Best Use of Lights
​​
Note: Orange icons above are in Old Towne; Maroon icons are category winners; Green icons are Honorable Mention. Blue icons are outside of the Old Towne Orange judging area, but photos are included for your viewing enjoyment!
Photos Courtesy of Will Hare - Will Hare Photography
Our Judges and Their Tricked-Out Van Hard at Work! Click to Enlarge!

Most Beautiful - 258 N Center St

Most Old Fashioned ~ 714 East Maple

Best Use of Lights ~ 339 East Palmyra

Most Original ~ 305 East Palmyra

Most Whimsical ~ 536  East Maple

Best Block ~ 200 Block of North Pine

Honorable Mention ~ 300 Block of South Pixley

Most Festive (Commercial) ~ 480 North Glassell ~ The Arco Station!

Awards Ceremony


Honorable Mention
(Click Photos to Enlarge)

473 S Lemon St
473 S Lemon St
331 S Pixley St
331 S Pixley St
331 S Pixley St
157 N Pine St
157 N Pine St
157 N Pine St
157 N Pine St
229 N Pine St
229 N Pine St

2019 Nominations / Photos

Note: Some of the homes/decorations displayed below are outside of Old Towne Orange; So while not eligible for the contest, we want to acknowledge the owners' hard work and enthusiasm in decorating their homes -- and we encourage you to drive by and take a look! Happy Holidays!


2018 Old Towne Orange Holiday Decorating Contest!!

Old Towne Preservation Association Announces Awards!

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2018 Most Beautiful
The Old Towne Preservation Association has announced winners of its 31st annual Spirit of Old Towne Holiday Decorating Contest recognizing seven categories of imaginative Christmas and seasonal home and business decorations throughout the historic district of Orange. Thanks to all who decorated! Photos to follow!
​The 2018 winners - Photos Below!

  • Most Beautiful: 225 South Olive
  • Most Old Fashioned: 604 W. Palmyra
  • Best Use of Lights: 376 S. Olive
  • Most Original: 552 E. Palmyra
  • Most Whimsical: 151 N. Pine
  • Best Block: 200 Block of N. Pine
  • Honorable Mention: 536 E. Maple
  • Most Festive (Commercial) Citrus City Grille – 122 N. Glassell
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2018 Most Whimsical
Judges toured in a decorated van on Saturday, December 15.   The public is invited to attend the award ceremony at 7:00 pm on Sunday, December 16 on the Best Block at 200 N Pine St!  Winners will be presented theme yard signs designating their award title.  The program will include caroling by the magnificent Orange High School choir and Hot Chocolate and Christmas cookies will be served!
 
OTPA’s Contest Committee Chair Vickie Laughlin said “the holidays are always memorable in Old Towne and we’re proud that so many of these charming historic homes and business structures are decorated to reflect the spirit of the season and of Old Towne.”
 
She added that touring Old Towne to see the winners makes a great family outing each night from now through the holidays.   “The colorful lighting and displays throughout Old Towne are warm reflections of this wonderful season, and an exciting evening tour for all ages.”

Photos Below Courtesy of Will Hare, Will Hare Photography, Inc.

Best Block - 200 N Pine St

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Best Block - 200 North Pine St - Click to Enlarge

Most Beautiful - 225 S Olive St

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Most Beautiful - 225 S Olive St - Click to Enlarge

Most old fashioned - 604 W Palmyra Ave

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Most Old Fashioned - 604 W Palmyra Ave - Click to Enlarge

Best Use of Lights - 376 S Olive St

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Best Use of Lights - 376 S Olive St - Click to Enlarge

Most Original - 552 E Palmyra Ave

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Most Original - 552 E Palmyra Ave - Click to Enlarge

Most Whimsical - 151 N Pine St

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Most Whimsical - 151 N Pine St - Click to Enlarge

Honorable Mention - 536 E Maple St

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Honorable Mention - 536 E Maple St - Click to Enlarge

Most Festive (Commercial) Citrus City Grille – 122 N. Glassell

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Most Festive (Commercial) Citrus City Grille - 122 N Glassell St​ - Click to Enlarge

Decorated Homes Photos Submitted by the Old Towne Orange Community - 2018

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320 S Pixley - Click to Enlarge
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473 S Lemon St - Click to Enlarge
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344 S Orange St - Click to Enlarge
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345 N Lime St - Click to Enlarge
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331 S Pixley St - Click to Enlarge
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604 W Palmyra Ave - Click to Enlarge
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139 N Parker St - Click to Enlarge
167 N Cambridge St.
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376 S Olive St - Click to Enlarge
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404 S Pixley - Click to Enlarge
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225 S Olive St - Click to Enlarge
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119 W Palmyra - Click to Enlarge
231 N Orange St (above) - Click to Enlarge
355 N Pine St
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1431 N Shaffer St (Outside of Old Towne) - Click to Enlarge

2017 Holiday Decorating Contest Winners!

The 30th Annual Old Towne Holiday Decorating Contest lit up the historic district as Old Towne became a nightly holiday buffet of spectacular yule presentations in sight and sound.   

The contest is conducted by the Old Towne Preservation Association, and recognizes eight categories of exterior decorations including Best Block, Most Beautiful, Most Old Fashioned, Best Use of Lights, Most Original, Most Whimsical, Best Commercial/Retail Decorations, and Honorable Mention.
A special thanks to our photographer, Will Hare of Will Hare Photo - www.WillHarePhoto.com
  • ​​​Best Block - 300 Block of S. Pixley St
  • Most Beautiful - 205 N Pine St - Steve and Kristy Colburn
  • Most Old Fashioned - 181 N Center St - Dale and Gayle Ray
  • Best Use of Lights - 339 E Palmyra Ave - Robert and Diane Von Gerichten
  • Most Original - 552 E. Palmyra Ave - Joel Hicks and Mark Hoch
  • Most Whimsical 344 S Orange St - Tony and Emily Tripp
  • Best Retail / Commercial - The Potting Shed - Jack Carlisle
  • Honorable Mention - The City of Orange - Mayor Tita Smith
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Picture2017 "Most Beautiful" Winner 205 N. Pine St, Old Towne Steve and Kristy Colburn - Click to Enlarge
The 30th Annual Old Towne Holiday Decorating Contest lit up the historic district on Saturday night, December 16 when Old Towne became a colorful holiday buffet of spectacular presentations in sight and sound. Home owners and businesses were urged to participate with street front decorations.

The contest is conducted by the Old Towne Preservation Association, and recognizes eight categories of exterior decorations including Most Beautiful, Most Old Fashioned, Best Use of Lights, Most Original, Most Whimsical, Best Commercial/Retail Decorations, and Best Block.  An Honorable Mention award is also given.
 
A panel of judges toured Old Towne the evening of December 16 to select the best in each category.  This year’s judges were Orange Police Chief Tom Kisela, Disneyland show production veteran Joe Peters, and Plaza antique mall owner Dan Jensen.  Winners were announced at 7:00 pm on Sunday, December 17 when the Orange High School Chamber Singers caroled on the winning block.

OTPA Holiday Decorating Contest chair Teri Lepe said winners received a sign designating the winning category to post in front of their property.  “Over the years, we know that many families look forward to touring Old Towne to not only enjoy the winning presentations, but also experience an historic neighborhood full of incredible decorations."  

The Old Towne Preservation Association is a 32-year-old non-profit public service organization formed to preserve, protect and enhance the unique and historic character of Old Towne Orange, the largest residential Historic District in California with more than 1,400 homes built before 1940.


2016 Holiday Decorating Contest Winners!

 Thank you go all who participated in our 2016 Annual Holiday Decorating Contest!

The judging panel toured Old Towne on Sunday evening, December 18th, 2016 looking for creative holiday lighting and other decorations within Old Towne Orange. While there were many outstanding participants this year, our judges felt that the block and houses below were worthy of special recognition. And of course we're all winners, because we live in Old Towne Orange and enjoy the small town holiday feel! And a special "Thank You" to our 2016 judges, Bill Crouch, Mignon Whitaker, and Jack Carlisle, and to Mike Short's group of singers from Orange High School -- and thanks to OTPA's Community Development Chair for organizing the whole event!
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Best Block!
Most Whimsical
Most Original
Most Beautiful
Best Use of Lights
Honorable Mention
Most Old Fashioned
  • ​​​Best Block - 100 Block of N. Pine
  • Most Beautiful - 225 S. Olive Pamela Daniels
  • Most Old Fashioned - 604 W. Palmyra John & Kim Atkinson
  • Best Use of Lights - 376 S. Olive Adrian and Jorri Olmos
  • Most Original - 237 N. Pine Carrie, Gabriel, and Elise Frisbee
  • Most Whimsical 304 N. Pine The McNiel Family
  • Honorable Mention - 300 Block of S. Pixley

2015 Holiday Decorating Contest Winners!

Thanks to all those that lit up and decked out their homes with holiday cheer for all to enjoy. And also a special "thank you" to those who took the time to nominate your favorites for the judges -- we received some great comments and suggestions from all of you admirers out there!  The 2015 winners are:

  • Best Block: 200 N. Pine St.
  • Most Original: Mark Drenner - 424 S. Grand St
  • Most Old Fashioned: Ray and Susan Hare - 270 S. Olive St.
  • Most Beautiful: Steve and Kristi Colburn Residence - 205 N. Pine St.
  • Best Use of Lights: Adrian and Jorri Olmos - 376 S. Olive St.
  • Honorable Mention: Jim and Viki Blaylock - 157 N. Pine St.
  • Most Whimsical:  Jeff and Shirley McNeil - 304 N. Pine St.

As seen in the OC Register - click here for article

Additional photos up shortly!

A special thanks to our photographer, Will Hare of Will Hare Photo - www.WillHarePhoto.com
Best Block!
200 N Pine St - Best Block!
Most Beautiful - 205 N Pine St.
Honorable Mention - 157 N Pine St
Most Old Fashioned - 270 S Olive St
Most Whimsical - 304 N Pine St
Best Use of Lights - 376 S Olive St.
Most Original - 424 S Grand St
Orange High School Chamber Singers
Most Beautiful - The Colburn Residence
Nomination photos sent to OTPA by you:

2014 Holiday Decorating Contest Winners!

Thanks to all those that lit up and decked out their homes with holiday cheer for all to enjoy. 2014 winners are:

  • Best Block: 200 N. Pine
  • Most Original: Bret & Michele Jackson • 253 Harwood 
  • Most Old Fashioned: Richard & Kristine Rohm • 181 N Pine
  • Most Beautiful: Robert & Diane Von Gerichten • 340 E. Palmyra
  • Best Use of Lights: Pamela Daniels • 225 S Olive
  • Honorable Mention: Jeff & Shirley McNiel • 304 N Pine
Click photos below to enlarge and see the winners!
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Membership
Old Towne Preservation Association
P.O. Box 828
Orange, CA 92856
714-639-6840
Info@OTPA.org
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  • About
    • OTPA History
    • Board of Directors >
      • Previous Boards of Directors
    • Contact
    • Old Towne Photos
  • Events
    • State of Old Towne Forum 2022
    • Street Fair
    • The Art of Wine - Hilbert Museum
    • Ice Cream Social
    • Holiday Decorating Contest >
      • Holiday Decorating Contest - 2021
      • Holiday Decorating Contest- 2020
      • Holiday Decorating Contest 2019
      • OHG/CFO Orange Inspirational Signs - 2020
    • Halloween Decorating Contest >
      • Halloween Decorating 2021
      • Halloween Decorating 2020
      • Halloween Decorating 2019
      • Halloween Decorating 2018
    • Historic Home Tours >
      • Home Tour 2022
      • Home Tour 2019
      • Home Tour 2017
      • Home Tour 2015
    • General Meetings >
      • RSVP - General Meeting 2022
    • OTPA On-the-Road & Tours
  • Buy Tickets / Make a Donation
  • News
    • Blog
    • Newsletters
    • Killefer School
    • Chapman's Proposed Expansion News
  • Preservation
    • OTPA in Action >
      • Preservation Issues
      • DRC Meetings
      • City Council Meetings - Speak Up!
      • Planning Commission Meetings - Speak Up!
    • Map of Old Towne Orange
    • Historic Cypress Street Barrio
    • Tradespersons
    • OTPA Plaques Info
    • Plaques Database Input
    • Design/Build Standards / Code Enforcement >
      • Design Build Standards - Adopted Dec 2017
      • Code Enforcement / Design Standards
      • Code Enforcement - Notify City
    • Mills Act Info
    • FAQs
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Member
    • Membership Information
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Join Free Email Subscription
  • Business Members
  • OTPA STORE