Holiday Lights Contest: Hawthorn Woods home wins editors' pick in Lake County

Joe Junia of 35 Carlisle Road in Hawthorn Woods has been chosen by editors as the Lake County winner of the Daily Herald Holiday Lights contest.

The overall contest winner, chosen by online voting, is Dante Fiandaca of Algonquin.

Q. How long have you been decorating your house like this?

A. Twenty years at this level and 43 years overall.

Q. What inspired you to go all out with your decorations?

A. My father started making Christmas cutouts and putting up lights in 1951. Both my wife and I love everything about Christmas, so we did the same thing. Then 29 years ago, a neighbor said the former Frank's Nursery and Crafts store was having a closeout sale on their Christmas merchandise and selling large garbage bags full of lights and decorations for $5 each. We bought all they had and ever since have been expanding our collection of lights trees and figurines.

Q. How many hours does it take to put up the display?

A. About 100 hours. This year I had a major surgery at the end of October so my three sons and two of our daughters-in-law spent a full day helping with much of the effort, so it was truly a family affair.

Q. How much does your electric bill spike in December?

A. Using mostly LEDs now on outside lighting and inside 22 trees. So electric bill only jumps about 40 percent now. It used to triple before LEDs became more available and color friendly.

Q. What do your neighbors think of your display?

A. People are always stopping and looking for several minutes to take it all in. The neighbors have always been extremely complimentary and even thank us for the display.