The annual holiday lighting decoration competitions have wrapped up in the Upper Peninsula, with a local home winning the UPPCO Holiday Lighting Contest and numerous more local locations receiving votes. Ultimately the Ackermans on Gates Road won the U.P.-wide competition by over 200 votes. The bright display took 932 votes, defeating a Calumet home receiving 712 votes.

“We are very appreciative of all the support and praise we have gotten over our Christmas light display. The best feeling after spending many days setting up and then, this year, digging out everything, is having a family stop and thank us for the display,” Joe Ackerman said. “The recognition from UPPCO, ALTRAN and the Lions Club is humbling, but the smiles and praises from people driving by is truly why we do this every year. Thank you all again to everyone who makes this possible every holiday season.”

The Iron Skillet Bed and Breakfast in Munising took ninth place, receiving 100 votes. Munising was one of two areas to receive two spots on the top 10, with Calumet taking second and tenth.

The Munising Lions Club also sponsored a competition with the help of ALTRAN. Again, the Ackermans took first place. Here are the local winners from the competition: 1. Joe and Paula Ackerman – Gates Road 2. Gary and Marie McQuisten Connors Road 3. Clay Cook and Lynne Bowerman – East Varnum Street 4. Phillip and Joyce Marzion West Varnum Street 5. Mike and Becky Kolbus Washington Street 6. Brad and Megan Hill – Gates Road 7. Mike and Sue Nettleton – Spruce Street 8. Steve and Tonya Borowski M-28 West 9. Jackie Ballou – West Onota Street 10. Tom and Bonnie Bray – West Superior Street