Bright lights aren’t always in big cities.
Sometimes, they are in small rural hamlets, such as those dotting south Jefferson County.
And in those spots blazing with holiday cheer, Christmas isn’t quite over yet.
Most of the lights and decorations will stay up through this week, said Anne Ricker of Quilcene, an artist who has volunteered to organize the North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce Holiday Decorating Contest for about 18 years.
That job gives her a chance to tour the sights.
So, for those with a yen to tour the south county lights, she offers a few suggestions to hit the highlights.
After driving to Brinnon, start the tour at the Lower Lazy C Ranch.
The display at the home of Cindy and Greg Woodgate at 300 Appaloosa Drive tied for first place in the chamber contest with that of Brett and Ashley Hoffman, 294955 U.S. Highway 101 in Quilcene. Both won $100.
After taking in the Lazy C decorations, hang a right on Highway 101 and do a loop by Whitney Gardens.
The seven-acre Whitney Gardens and Nursery at 306264 Highway 101 in Brinnon puts on a massive holiday light display.
“They don’t enter the contest because they would win every time,” Ricker said.
“It’s incredible. It’s really something to see.”
After Whitney gardens, see Johnston Realty’s creche at 294773 Highway 101, Brinnon, and turn around in front of the Brinnon General Store at 306413 Highway 101, Ricker said.
Then take a look at the Olympic Timber House Restaurant & Lounge at 295534 Highway 101 in Quilcene, then the Hoffmans’ across from the Quilcene Community Center before looking at Sandy VanWagenen’s hand-painted decorations on Highway 101 — “it’s really impressive,” Ricker said — and the South County Medical Clinic’s elegant design.
Don’t miss Harry Goodrich and Mary Merrill’s decorations at 141 Frank Beck Road in Quilcene. The couple took third place and $25 in the chamber contest.
Ricker also suggested driving up Dosewallips Road and looking just past Church Road to see a white five-pointed star above blue waves.
“I don’t know who it is,” she admitted, saying the owner hadn’t entered the chamber contest, but added that one of the contest judges thought “it was the coolest of all.”
