Winners have been announced in the 2018 River Town Christmas decorations contest held in the Town of Columbia and in Tyrrell County.

Winners in the Columbia business category are Pocosin Arts at 202 Main Street, first place; Southern Insurance at 109 S. Broad Street, second place and Davis-Coefield Inn, 302 Bridge Street, third place.

The Red Wolf Coalition located at 212 Main Street was judged the Best Decorated Storefront.

Columbia’s residential category winners are Deanna and Lloyd Armstrong, 507 Bridge Street, first place; Kim and Martin Whitehurst, 303 N. Road Street, second place and Durwood Cooper Jr., 706 Bridge Street, thrid place. These include residences inside the town limits or immediately adjacent to the town.

The Best Religious Theme was awarded by the judges to Terri and Bill Ward for their display at 210 N. Elm Street.

Honors for the Best Traditional Theme went to Brickhouse Inn, 415 Main Street.

Three homes in the 5200 block of Newlands Road captured the award for the best decorated neighborhood. This includes the Vanhorn/Hayney residence and neighbors.

Outside the town limits awards went to Vicki and Bud Cutrell, 3087 Soundside Road, first place; to Francisco G. Brickhouse, 850 N. Road Street Extension, second place and Terese and Hugh Benton, 925 Scuppernong Drive, third place.

The decorations contest is an effort to encourage residents and businesses in Columbia to decorate for the holiday season as part of the four-day River Town Christmas celebration.  “We appreciate all who decorated and helped create a more festive atmosphere for our town,” said Karen Clough on behalf of the River Town Christmas Committee.  River Town Christmas is a project of the Greater Tyrrell County Chamber of Commerce.

Judges cited several decorated properties as deserving of recognition as Honorable Mentions. They applauded residents for contributing to the holiday spirit.

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