Menifee's Holiday Spirit Shown in House Contest Winners

Eight families from the 29200 block of Pineleaf Street were honored by the Menifee City Council Wednesday night for winning the block theme category in the Menifee Holiday House Decorating Contest.

City Hall was packed Wednesday night with families of Menifee residents when winners were announced in seven categories of the first Menifee Holiday House Decorating Contest.

Residents spent the last several weeks decorating their homes with lights and all kinds of festive images representative of the holiday season. Many entered the contest, which was sponsored by the City of Menifee and Menifee 24/7. In a scene not too common at a city council meeting, children -- some as young as infants -- were invited forward with their parents to meet the mayor and council members. Residents of an entire block cheered each other in accepting an award.

The grand prize winner in the Best in Show category was the Carnes family. Their outside display (left) includes thousands of lights, animated features and a miniature Victorian village with moving train. For years, huge crowds have gathered each night at the Carnes home to view the holiday display and chat alongside a fire pit in the driveway. Mary and Christopher Carnes also open the inside of their home for viewing of holiday displays and collect donations for the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard.

The Carnes family received a $250 gift card from Living Spaces, one of several local businesses that donated prizes for the contest. All winners also received a Menifee pride package containing several gift items from the City of Menifee.

The winner in the Best Use of Lights category was 15-year-old Richard Boboljov, who set up an extensive holiday display and light show synchronized with music (right). According to his sister Julia, Richard insisted on salvaging the family's holiday decorations after the family was burned out of its home in Russia and moved to the U.S. a few years ago. Each year, Richard coordinates the entire project himself, helping to keep the holiday spirit alive in their Menifee home.

The Boboljov family received a $50 gift card from Sport Chalet.

In the Most Festive category, the winner was the Castorena family. Their brightly colored display (left) includes a moving Ferris wheel, inflatable characters from the movie "Cars", a snowman, Snoopy and many other characters recognizable to children. Louis and Kjerstin Castorena's son Ian got his wish when he and his sister Gianna got to shake Mayor Scott Mann's hand during the presentation.

The Castorena family received a $50 gift card from TJ Maxx.

Michael Null was present to accept the Most Spiritual award on behalf of his family. In addition to a touching nativity scene, the yard and house decorations include a giant lighted star, a line of toy soldiers, Santa and a snowman (right).

The Null family received a $50 gift card from Target.

The Buchholz family was the winner in the Most Humorous category. Their display includes brightly sparkling lights synchronized to holiday music, images projected on the driveway and garage door, and Santa waving to visitors from an upstairs window (below left).

The Buchholz family received a $50 gift card to Texas Roadhouse.

In the Most Creative category, the Schelb family was recognized for an elaborate display including Santa and his reindeer suspended high above the driveway, a variety of twinkling lights and illuminated characters, and strings of lights that stretch high across the street (below right).

The Schelb family received a $50 gift card from Sherwin-Williams Paints.

Families living in the 29200 block of Pineleaf Street each received two tickets to Aces Comedy Club for winning the Block Theme contest as a team. Their street includes high arching light strings, colorful and animated displays and lighting effects on virtually every house on the block. On Friday and Saturday night, Santa will appear at the giant sleigh in one of the front yards to pass out candy to visitors.

Winning families on Pineleaf Street included:

Cindy and Eric Wolff
Janelle and Ryan Huizinga
Emily and Josh Kelly
Michelle and Justin Childers
Kristy and Eric Cranfill
Jerry and Lyndie Morris
Phil and Gina Biase
Ernie and Sharon Leggett

In addition to their prizes, winners received a certificate of recognition from the City of Menifee and were greeted in front of the dais by Mayor Scott Mann; fellow city council members John Denver, Wallace Edgerton, Greg August and Matt Liesemeyer; Robert Lennox, director of community services; and Kristen Spoon, associate editor of Menifee 24/7.

For video highlights of the winning holiday homes, click here. To view a map directing you to see the displays for yourself, click here.

Menifee 24/7 and the City of Menifee would like to thank all those who entered the contest and the businesses who donated prizes.

The Carnes family won the top award, Best in Show.

15-year-old Richard Boboljov, joined by his brother Daniel, won the Best Use of Lights award.

The Castorena family won the Most Festive award.

Michael Null, representing his family, won the Most Spiritual award.

The Buchholz family won the Most Humorous award.

The Schelb family won the Most Creative award.