Judging for PAPA’s Patriotic Home Decorating Contest took place in the late afternoon on July 3. In the previous four contests, the Palisades Americanism Parade Association president and judges limited their search to homes along the parade route—on Via de la Paz, Sunset and Toyopa.
This year, PAPA opened to contest to all residents, with Sotheby’s realtor Joan Sather once again sponsoring the contest. More than 35 homeowners entered, and PAPA President Rob Weber and Sather narrowed the field to 12 for the judges to review.
“I was disappointed that no one from the Highlands or from the Riviera entered,” Weber told the judges, who included Sather, Honorary Mayor Jake Steinfeld, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Arnie Wishnick and Post Staff Writer Sue Pascoe.
The houses were all judged on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being best), and two received the maximum score: the Mercer home at 833 Toyopa and the Lantz home at 513 El Medio.
The 10 houses that received honorable mention were 731 Toyopa (called “tasteful” by judges); 857 Fiske and 836 Hartzell (determined to have made a nice effort); 877 and 1129 Kagawa earned 9’s (877 for its all-American appeal and 1129 for the unique look), as did last year’s winner 1534 De Pauw (elegant, with new touches); 645 Haverford (nice pinwheels); 14806 Bestor (featured an Uncle Sam on a chair); 736 Via de la Paz (love the stars and hanging “drips”) and 1127 Charm Acres (given extra points for a “76” flag).
As judges viewed houses, they saw numerous homes that hadn’t entered such as the one at 14931 Whitfield, which one judge described as “true Americana.”
“That would have been a contender,” Weber said about the house. “It was beautifully decorated, but it wasn’t entered.”
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
