Every year, Walden Lake transforms into a twinkling winter wonderland and beckons to those seeking a festive celebration.
Neighborhoods throughout the development decorate not only their individual homes, but the entrances to each community as well. It would take hours to drive through and soak in each massive light display — a challenge many families take up time and again — and an annual competition ups the ante for those who call Walden Lake home.
A panel of judges drive in for the special event and are ushered around the community. They take notes, evaluate the many highlights of each display and then come up with their top-ranked community entrances based on the traditional and illumination categories. Signs announcing the winners are then placed at the entrances so those who spend their evenings taking in the unique lights will know which displays pulled above their neighbors.
If you would like to enjoy the lights for yourself, grab a hot chocolate or a cup of coffee, pack a tin of Christmas cookies, wear your festive attire and cruise down Timberlane. Pro-tip: Don’t be afraid to leave the main road. While many of the communities lie directly off of Timberlane, many decked-out neighborhoods and homes trickle off into the many offshoots that delve deeper into Walden Lake. Don’t forget to take roads like Griffin to really find some hidden gems.
The winners of the 2020 Walden Lake Decorating Contest are as follows:
Grand Prize: Fairway Estates
Traditional Category
1st place: Clubhouse Woods
2nd place: Hampton Place
3rd place: Spring Meadow/
Juniper Place
Hon. Mention: Emerald Forest
Hon. Mention: Silverstone
Illumination Category
1st place: Hammocks
2nd place: Forest Club
3rd place: Charleston Woods
Hon. Mention: Laurel Lake
Hon. Mention: Sutton Woods