by Rebecca McClay
Staff Writer
Two crews of Urbana Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department members scoured
holiday displays in the Villages of Urbana Dec. 6-9 to determine the
community's most festive light decorations.
Volunteer Tim McGrew, a Clarksburg resident with the department for
roughly a year, said he was part of a crew judging both traditional and
contemporary displays at townhouses and had already determined the two
winners.
"It was a tough decision on the townhouses," McGrew said. "But it was
fun."
A second crew of four volunteers scanned single-family homes, in both
traditional and contemporary categories, but plans to tour the area once
more this week before determining this year’s best display.
The department will announce all four winners at a community event
planned from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, at the Villages of Urbana Community
Center, 9023 Harris St.
A traditionally decorated house is defined as one with elegant
greenery and white lights. Contemporary houses are those with displays
that cater to children, with more colorful and moving decorations.
One house with a contemporary display in the Villages of Urbana has
become a Christmas landmark stop for families and has won the
competition in 2002, 2003 and 2005.
The Yaglenski family home on 9056 Clendenin Way, just next door to
the Urbana Community Center, each year attracts children with its moving
lights show and Christmas characters.
Last year, the Yaglenski's initiated a holiday
radio program called "SANTAfm",
on 88.7 FM, to go along with their display. This year, they will again
feature the program as well as two new features: a lights display of a
dog house with a dog wagging its tail and a mailbox for children,
perched at the end of a light-filled path, to drop letters to Santa.
A Santa character will make an appearance at the display from 7 to 8
p.m. today and Friday to hand out candy canes to children. The lights
are illuminated from dusk until 10:15 p.m. For more information, visit
www.yaglenski.com.
Meanwhile, the Urbana Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department's own
Santa character is making the department's traditional rounds in
neighborhoods this week. Santa will wave to children from a fire truck
starting at 6 p.m. each night through Friday, McGrew said.
A Breakfast with Santa event will be held from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sunday at the fire station at 3602 Urbana Pike. Tickets are $6 for
adults and $3 for children. Tickets for children younger than 5 are
free.
For more information, visit www.urbanavfd.org.