2020 Home Decorating Contest Winners Revealed

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

The 2020 PAPA Patriotic Home Decorating Contest—which was promised to be “bigger and better than ever”—revealed winners and runners-up in five categories following the Fourth of July.

“I think people were more into it this year,” said Joan Sather, who sponsored the contest with Susan Montgomery. “The best part is going around and telling people they won. They worked hard to express the Fourth of July and what it means to them.”

Judging the entries, which is usually conducted by a team on a golf court, was shifted this year to adhere to social distancing orders.

The Grand Champion Award went to Cindy Simon, with Laura Diamond taking home the prize for runner-up.

“I was very excited to find out I won Grand Champion,” Cindy shared. “After the Fourth, I moved all my cardboard figures to Simon Meadow and placed them on the parking lot fence where they greet the campers each day.”

Hometown Style went to Bev Lowe and John Riley, with Jean Sharp named runner-up.

First place for the In this Together category was awarded to the Hassett family, with Tricia Taper as runner-up. Proof Through the Night, which focused on decor that dazzled at nighttime, was given to Sharon and Dennis White, with Terri and Stephen Lantz runners-up.

Americana was awarded to the Village Green, designed by Michelle Villemaire. Each year since 2015, Villemaire “yarn bombs” the small town in the heart of the Palisades with colorful displays, in most years lined up with National Women’s History Month in March.

This year’s display was postponed until July and featured patriotic adornments in honor of the Fourth of July, including a pair of chairs, which would typically line Sunset Boulevard ahead of the annual parade.

“Since the parade was canceled this year, I knew I wanted to yarn bomb some folding chairs—the ones we put out days in advance to secure a prime spot along the route—but we’re a very different America now,” Villemaire said to the Palisadian-Post when speaking of her design. “The empty chairs represent us, our community, and the beauty and complexity of us all. They also symbolize hope that we will again sit side by side along Sunset Boulevard and celebrate our country together.”

Kathleen and Mike McCrosky were awarded runners-up in the Americana category.

Winners took home prizes from local businesses, including gift certificates to Kayndaves, Casa Nostra and Anawalt. Black Ink donated a Fourth of July-themed wreath.

“The Fourth of July is such an important holiday in the Palisades,” Sather said. “We honor our town … because it’s such a special place to live.”

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article had Bev Lowe’s name misspelled as Ben Lowe.