A Bowen family are celebrating this week following the announcement that they won the Whitsunday Regional Council’s ‘Our Whitsunday Way’ Christmas Lights Competition.
The Carnes family moved to Bowen from the Gold Coast 18 months ago and live on a one-acre property on Mount Nutt Road which has 50-metres of main road frontage and is decorated with bright lights and festive cheer.
Danielle and Daniel Carnes have two children, who are now 12 and 11 years old, and started decorating their front lawn with Christmas lights six years ago.
“It’s been wonderful while the kids have been young,” said Danielle.
“And we just love seeing the smiles on their faces.”
A huge inflatable gingerbread family take centre stage and a brightly lit gingerbread house is Danielle’s favourite new addition.
Glittering reindeer, marching nutcrackers and an enormous glowing Christmas tree with a bright star atop encourages families to stop and marvel at the entrancing display every evening in the run-up to Christmas.
With all these magical features, it is easy to see how the Mount Nutt Road house was picked from the 26 other entries across the region.
Despite this, Danielle says she was shocked to hear they had won.
“We were very surprised considering it was out of the whole region,” she said.
“We are super-stoked, and we can’t wait to go to Daydream Island and out to the Reef!”
The competition was judged by the following criteria – effort, creativity and theming - and as a prize, the Carnes’ family received a night on Daydream Island for two adults and two children with a $500 island credit, plus a trip on Cruise Whitsunday’s ReefWorld.
The family are planning on redeeming their prize over the Christmas holidays and Danielle said that she and her husband love designing the display each year and are already planning a few new additions next year.
“Thanks everyone for your support,” she said.
“We love seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces.”
Winners of the Christmas Lights Competition, Danielle and Daniel Carnes with Mayor Julie Hall. Photo: provided
The glittering lights and impressive display at Mount Nutt Road in Bowen
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