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Ferndale Arts & Beautification Commission announces 2024 Holiday Lights winners
Summary
The Ferndale Arts & Beautification Commission presented 2024 Holiday Lights Awards and reviewed the commission’s 2024 activities, citing more than 51 holiday lights nominations and a larger set of beautification nominations for the year.
The Ferndale Arts & Beautification Commission on Monday presented winners of its 2024 Holiday Lights Awards and gave a year-end summary of outreach and events.
Suzanne Janek, a co-chair of the commission, told the City Council that the commission received more than 51 nominations for the 2024 holiday lights contest across Ferndale’s four quadrants and that commissioners spent an evening judging displays. Janek named the quadrant winners and described standout features: the Northeast winner was noted for extensive indoor and outdoor traditional decorations; the Southeast winner, at 1544 Chesterfield, featured large light stakes and side-yard displays; the Southwest winner, at 1421 Pinecrest, used a hand-made gingerbread-house theme; and the Northwest winner, at 444 West Woodland, included trimmed windows, lighted garland and whimsical yard figures. The commission also presented a Griswold Major Award to a corner property at 1661 College that displayed extensive roof, porch and yard lights and a drivable, lighted bus used in other events.
Janek also summarized the commission’s 2024 accomplishments beyond the holiday awards: the commission reported receiving 157 total beautification nominations across its award programs, expanded social media followings (about 3,700 Facebook followers and 3,090 Instagram followers), hosted two artist “think tanks” with more than 60 artists attending across both events, ran a flash-mob performance at a fall art fair, and organized holiday caroling at Shiffer Park.
Winners and others came forward for recognition. A homeowner who received an award said they plan to keep decorating every year and described the decorations as bringing joy to the neighborhood.
Why it matters
The awards showcase neighborhood participation in public beautification and highlight the Arts and Beautification Commission’s role in community engagement and events year-round.
What’s next
Janek said the commission plans another artist think tank in February or March to continue outreach to local artists and to identify needs for music and visual artists in Ferndale.
