The Southside Garden Club held its 12th annual holiday lighting contest last week, with the judging of local residences and businesses done on Thursday, Dec. 4.

Judges were out-of-town volunteers, and they selected the best traditional, religious and whimsical displays from residences and the best window display and outdoor display at local businesses.

Winning first place in the residential/traditional category were Sandy and Morgan Baker of 1207 Lake Lane.

“Five friends of Morgan’s from the high school decided to decorate the house for them,” said Betty Baxley of the Southside Garden Club. “Allen Brooker, Tyler Brooker, Kathleen Randall, Ashton Tucker and Shelby Speegle and Morgan drew up the plans. The boys built some of the decorations, and the girls painted them. They got up on the roof using a trampoline!”

Winning first place in the religious category was the residence of Buster and Judy Ward of 200 South Main Ave. with a nativity scene.

Taking first place in the whimsical category was the residence of Janice Coats of 1320 Edgewood Dr.

Winning the commercial/window display was the Demopolis Public Library, featuring “visions of sugarplums.”

Winning the commercial/outdoor display was the First United Methodist Church with a nativity scene.

All contestants were judged by the Garden Club of Alabama criteria. Artistic effects, such as design, originality — including lighting ideas or effects — as well as scale and proportion, ingenuity and conformity to the Christmas spirit were the guidelines for the judges to make their final decision.