Council recognizes 2024 holiday lights winners and celebrates Colony Wine Merchant’s 10th anniversary

Anaheim City Council on Jan. 28 recognized the 2024 Anaheim Beautiful Holiday Lights contest winners and presented a city recognition to Colony Wine Merchant on the business’s 10th anniversary.

Sophia Hall, identified in the meeting as Miss Anaheim Beautiful for the 2024–25 term, announced contest winners and highlighted the organization’s gratitude to sponsors and volunteers. Hall said, "After viewing every property, I selected the Perez family's display at 211 South Topo Street to receive my award. This was my overall favorite entry." The council recognized six district winners and presented special awards, including two LED-display awards sponsored by Anaheim Public Utilities and two "bright and beautiful" award winners sponsored by local businesses.

Mayor Aiken congratulated the winners and invited Lori Dinwiddie, president of Anaheim Beautiful, and Hall to present. City staff noted that an interactive map of more than 60 displays had been posted to social media to help residents view participating properties.

The council also recognized Colony Wine Merchant, located at 280 South Lemon Street, which marked 10 years in business. A Colony representative who identified themselves as a business owner spoke at the podium: "We're blessed every day to serve this community and be part of it," the owner said, describing a multi-year search for a downtown location and thanking the community for support.

Nut graf: The recognitions highlight Anaheim’s neighborhood and small-business community traditions, with the holiday-lights program supported by volunteers, community organizations and Anaheim Public Utilities’ promotion of LED usage.

Ending: The council thanked all participants and sponsors, and invited the holiday-lights winners and Colony Wine Merchant representatives to join the dais for a photo.