The citizens of Woolwich have spoken. Dennis and Vicki Mosier of 652 Old Stage Road are winners of the community’s first home holiday lighting contest. Votes were cast at the municipal building Saturday evening, Dec. 19 when donations for Bath Area Food Bank were also accepted.

The Mosiers were among the first to sign on for the event held after town officials were forced to cancel the traditional Tree Lighting and Yule Sing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They surrounded their home with a twinkling array of red, yellow, green, blue and white Christmas lights and dozens of holiday displays.

Second place went to Elisha and Joann Wallace for their beautifully decorated home at 338 Meadow Road. Finishing third was Vanessa Gardner at 928 Old Stage Road; she spelled out “BAH HUMBUG” with holiday lights on her fence.

Residents were asked to drive by eight participating homes, pick the one they liked best and share their choice with members of Woolwich Historical Society who were on hand at the municipal building. The winners each received a cash prize donated by Jack A. Shaw and Sons Construction.

Donations of non-perishable food for Bath Area Food Bank were gratefully accepted. In keeping with pandemic protocols, people were asked to remain in their vehicles.

Braving the 17F weather were selectmen Allison Hepler and Jason Shaw. Also on hand were Debbie Locke and Tammy Given of the historical society along with Santa Claus, who brought with him a bag of sweet Christmas treats to give away.

Afterward, Hepler said she and the other event organizers were grateful to all those who took part by decorating their homes to help brighten the community’s holiday season.

People are welcome to continue driving past homes that participated. The others are at 21 Circle Drive (off Walker Road, but can be seen from Walker Road), 246 Old Stage Road, 40 Mountain Road, 62 Mountain Road and 45 Montsweag Road (permission has been given for visitors there to enter the driveway –there is plenty of room to turn around).

Locke noted in an email to Wiscasset Newspaper, two homes not in the contest received write-in votes. They are on Route 1 just north of Bath Subaru and at 127 River Road.

If you go see the decorated homes, please be respectful of the homeowners’ property and please remain in your vehicle.