Courtesy photo Pictured is the first place winning home of Ashley and Brad Vetter of 1102 Wisconsin Ave. in Gladstone recently. The Vetter’s won the first-ever Christmas home decorating contest in Gladstone this year.

GLADSTONE — Some homes in Gladstone are aglow with not only unified holiday cheer, but the values and ideas of the community of Gladstone. Nine homes within the Gladstone city limits participated in a house decorating contest.

Ron Miaso, Gladstone Downtown Development Authority (DDA) coordinator, said the contest went very well with a lot of enthusiasm from the participants.

“We were very thrilled that so many people were interested on fairly short notice,” he said.

The new contest was sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority and organized by the Old Fashioned Christmas Committee.

The contest originated when Derby Chase, a member of the DDA and Old Fashioned Christmas Committee, and Miaso approached the Delta County Chamber of Commerce for wagons for the Old Fashioned Christmas event, which took place on Nov. 29.

Chamber Director Vickie Micheau offered the DDA prize money for the best decorated house in Gladstone. Once they had the grand prize money, other businesses provided gift certificates for prizes for the second and third placed winners.

Entry applications for the contest were to be received by no later than Dec. 6.

According to Miaso, it was thrilling to have successfully put together a contest at such a short notice.

“It just all came together,” he said.

The contest was open to all residents within the city limits of Gladstone.

Nine homes participated by filling out applications and providing non-perishable food items as an entry fee.

“All of the canned goods were dropped off at Thrivent Financial,” Miaso said.

Stacie Pouliot-Carter, the member of the Old Fashioned Christmas Committee in charge of the contest, distributed the canned goods to the local Salvation Army.

Miaso explained there was no goal to the overall amount of canned goods collected, but it was thought by the committee that collecting canned goods for the entry fee was a good way to incorporate more of the meaning behind the holidays.

On Dec. 16, the Old Fashioned Christmas Committee members went out on their own and judged the homes.

Miaso said the nine homes were in both the traditional area of Gladstone and the bluff area.

From twinkling lights to figurines aglow on the front lawn, there were many pieces that made homes stand out to the committee.

The first place winners are Ashley and Brad Vetter of 1102 Wisconsin Ave.

The second place winners were a tie between Joe and Genette Dehlin of 1225 Minnesota Ave. and Gregg Larson of 414 Wisconsin Ave.

Dan and Elicia Howes of 427 Minneapolis Avenue are the third place winners.

When it came to why these homes stood out amongst the others, Miaso said a lot of the committee’s comments revolved around the homes having a nice, tasteful theme centered around Christmas but also displayed characteristics of what it’s all about living in Gladstone.

One of the homes that really stood out to Miaso was a home with the “Nutcracker” as its overall theme.

Although this year was the first ever decorating contest in the city of Gladstone, it is looking to be a new tradition for residents and other locals to enjoy.

Miaso said after talking with the committee, there are plans developing for next year’s contest.

According to Miaso, next year the committee plans to start organizing earlier to provide more time for more homes to participate.

He noted there may be a chance for businesses to participate in the contest, as well or for it to have another decorating contest just for businesses in Gladstone.