Fourteen Gilroy homes are illuminated and ready compete for this
year’s holiday trophy
By Betsy Avelar Staff Writer
Gilroy – When Ruben Trujillo started to prune a walnut tree in his front yard, neighbors knew that he was getting ready for the annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest for the fifth time.
While the event is planned for Dec. 20, Trujillo is adding final touches to his eye-candy fantasy.
“I want people to get out of their cars and look at it,” said the 51-year-old Trujillo who also dresses up as Santa for Christmas. “I’ve have a lot of neighborhood people that come by and ask for the same (decorations). I like to change it up to keep it interesting.”
Last year the theme was a holiday carnival, and this year his theme is “Getting ready for Christmas” with a recreational touch to it.
Train tracks go all around the walnut tree, which is decorated with many candy canes. Red and white poinsettias sit along the front of the house. Kids are on sleds sliding down artificial snow. Candy-cane arches decorate the drive way, and icicles lights hang from the arches. But the one display that he has not changed is Rudlolf leaping off his roof leading the rest of the reindeer and pulling Santa in his sled. Large presents look as though they are falling off the sled, and more presents decorate his front yard.
“I got a little display with lights; it’ll be coordinated with some music,” he said referring to another display planned for under the tree.
He’s at a loss to count the hours, but his wife, Marta Trujillo, recalls that her husband started to work on the display right after Thanksgiving.
“He’s kind of doing it on his own,” Marta said. “He built almost everything that’s out here. Ruben does it for the kids, she said.
“When [our] kids were a lot smaller, we would get into the car, ride around and see all the lights,” she said.
People stop by to take video, photos and simply enjoy his creation which is his biggest pleasure, Marta said.
There will be four winners. First place will take home $100, second place $75, $50 for third and $75 for the best decorated apartment or condominium complex.
“We’re delighted that so many people are into the Christmas and the holiday spirit, and each year it gets much more phenomenal as far as people going out and decorating”, said Ladd.
Though Alan Ladd, who is coordinating the contest for The Dispatch, participated in the event 18 years ago, he is foregoing competition this year, which is a good thing. He’s one of the judges.
Originality, creativity, materials and design are top criteria for the judging panel in the competition. All entries and winners will be published in the Dispatch. The deadline for entry was Dec. 13 as the contest will be held Dec. 20 between 6 and 10pm.
Along with Ruben, 13 other homes will participate in the contest, and though he has won first place before, he enjoys the feeling that he and others get out of the event.
“It brings out the kid in all of us again,” Ruben said.
It is usually coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce, which decided to turn it over to The Dispatch this year.
Betsy Avelar attends Gavilan College and is an intern for the South Valley Newspapers. Reach her at 847-7216 or ba*****@************ch.com.
