For some families, it’s a tradition: loading up in the car to take a tour of the town and its full Christmas regalia. This year, there are some must see stops to add to the drive in Washington.

The City of Washington announced winners of the Spirit of Christmas contest, a contest based on decorating homes and businesses for the season and judged for the quality, quantity and theme of decorations and lights.

Winners are as follows: G.W. Walker and Sons, 203 W. Main St.; Turner Pest Control, 202 N. Bridge St.; Dennis and Marilyn Greive, 107 N. Eden Drive (Smallwood); Walter Melton, 729 W. Second St.; Jane Alligood, 220 Simmons St.; and Dennis Smith, 110 Hillcrest Drive (White Oak).

According to one judge, there was some stiff competition in this year’s contest. One of the judges scouted out each neighborhood before all three loaded up one night  for their own Christmas tour.

“There was a lot out there—it was a tough choice. You could tell people really put an effort into it,” the judge said. “I would have to say Turner Pest Control really outdid themselves.”

The judge also noted that the Smith home on Hillcrest Drive would be a great view for the kids because “it had a lot of bells and whistles.”

According to Carolyn Walker at G.W. Walker & Sons, the Spirit of Christmas contest is simply an extension of the Walker family’s passion for holiday decorating.

“We always decorate for Christmas. We love Christmas. We decorate all in the store, outside of the store. I decorate every room in the house,” Walker laughed. “This year, we had so many ideas, but because of some illnesses that kept us from putting those ideas in motion, we went with simple things that we had. But we learned that valuable lesson that sometimes less is more.”

Walker said the generosity of Beaufort County residents contributed to the Spirit of Christmas win: Toys for Tots donations collected became a part of the store’s decorating scheme and there were lots of toys, Walker said.

“We had bicycles and toys and baby dolls that were motion-sensored so when anyone walked in the store, everything would just light up,” she said. “Beaufort County was very, very generous — that’s a lot to be proud of.”