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ights appear this time of year anyway, but a little competition brings out more. The Oriental Woman’s Club took over the organization of this year’s Light Up Oriental contest, choosing the competition themes.

Nautical Wheelers wrapped their tree in lights and glowing orbs.

The appointed judges (town Commissioners) went through Oriental, looking for the best. The winners are as follows:

Nautiest (most nautical):
• Phyllis & Sherrill Styron, 109 Pittman Circle
• Inland Waterway Provision Company

The Griswold Award (most lights):
• Steven Smith & Claudine Fields, 701 Broad Street
• The Tiki Bar at Toucan Grill

The courtyard of the Tiki Bar at The Toucan Grill and Oriental Marina & Inn.

Reason for the Season (best Nativity):
• Diane & Bill Ennett, 310 Whittaker Point Road
• Oriental United Methodist Church

Most Inflated (best inflatables):
• Iris Cooper, 200 Whittaker Point Road
• First Citizens Bank

Santa and his reindeer at First Citizens Bank.

Most Whimsical:
• Michelle & Kenneth Schaffer, 508 Midyette Street
• Nautical Wheelers

Overall Best Decorated / Beautiful:
• Hugh & Dixie Midyette, 5605 Styron Drive
• Oriental Village Veterinary Hospital

The Oriental Village Veterinary Office won for Best Overall Business.

A lighted Nativity scene on the way to Whittaker Creek.

This home on Hodges Street is a stunner.

Christmas Trees at the Neuse River Suites, the second floor of a King Street home, and in a front yard on Gilgo Road.

The ‘Old Hotel’ at the corner of Broad and Hodges Streets. Santa catching fish with a penguin, complete with inflatable outboard motor.

Not all Santas were the inflatable kind.

The large oak in the middle of Lou Mac Park, still decorated with doves from the Oriental United Methodist Church’s summer & fall morning services.

Posted Thursday December 15, 2022 by Allison DeWeese