1625 Covington House won this year's Best Decroated House compeition. Photo by Mel Toadvine

The house at 1625 Covington Meadows Circle won first place in the Lehigh Acres Christmas Decoration Contest for 2010. Some 20 judges rode around Lehigh and looked at both house addresses that were supplied by owners and others that stood out.

Covington Meadows Circle is off of Beth Stacey Blvd. just past Wing’s Way. It is on the right headinig away from the downtown area. The house is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Gralinski. He said he loves to decorate the outside of his house and has been doing it for several years. Next door to him is a brother’s house with almost as many lights.

Gralinski said there are about 25,000 different lights in the yard and that his electric bill usually goes up another $100 during the season. He said he begins to work on the decorations just after Thanksgiving.

The whole yard and display is covered with several surveillance cameras. The lights are usually on until around 10 p.m., Gralinski said.

Steve Baker, a member of the Kiwanis Club, and chairman of the project, said judges came from the Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs and others. A plaque will be given to the owners of the 1625 Covington Meadows Rd. address.

“It’s totally beautiful, so many lights. It’s just brilliant,” Baker said.

Judges rode around in Baker’s Fun Biz Charter Bus. Others joined in for the trip which took a few hours, Baker said.

Coming in second was 105 Hamilton Ave., and coming in third, 506 West Oregon St., Baker said.

The following list was presented to The Lehigh Acres Citizen by Baker, who said there are several more homes that the public would enjoy seeing over the holidays.

“It would be a great family outing over the holidays to see these homes, but there are many more that are also beautiful. I would suggest people start out at dusk if they want to see a lot of homes. He even suggested using a GPS in locating the homes if people are not well acquainted with all the streets in Lehigh.

The following is a list of homes that was viewed by judges looking the Best Decorated House in Lehigh for the Christmas holidays. In addition to the first, second and third place winners, the following are honorable mentions.

“These people really did a great job in decorating their homes. It took a lot of work to put up light so many lights which sparkle in the night,” Baker said.

When sightseers stop by the properties, they should not allow their children to cross over into the yards, which are private property, Baker said.

The following are a list of the homes with the winners and the others as honorable mentions.

503 Shadyside St.

617 Shadyside St.

198 Idleview Ave.

127 East Lake Drive

105 Hamilton Ave.

5 Hamilton Ave

217 McArthur Ave.

614 Thompson Ave.

354 Bougainvilla Rd.

107 Setson St.

506 West Oregon St.

4006 5th St. W.

4599 Varsity Lakes Drive

1506 Fieldhouse Court

22 Crestwood Circle

1623 Covington Meadows Circle

1625 Covington Meadows Circle

Several other houses were seen, but are not included in this list. Chairman Steve Baker, who headed the project, noted that hundreds of homes all over Lehigh are decorated for the holidays. He said by going to these addresses, you will also see several other properties along the way that are beautifully decorated.

“We did this because we want to bring Lehigh together as a community. There are so many good people here and we thought something like this would be a good idea. We want to continue it next year, too, Baker said.

“Although we did not list all of them, there are several beautiful decorated homes on Leeland Heights Blvd.,” Baker said.

“Sometimes it was difficult to see the house number on some of the home,” he added.