Sanow first in ‘Battle of the Bulbs’

One by one the cars slowed along 220th Avenue in front of the Mark Sanow residence north of Minneota. Some stopped and lowered their windows to listen to the Christmas music playing in synch with the over 7,000 colored lights throughout the property.
Sanow, the meat manager at Jim’s Market in Canby the past 23 years, had finished second in each of the previous two years of the “Battle of the Bulbs.”
With the help of his daughters, Riece, 16, and Reghan, 14, Sanow added many more lights to his display this year and the 12 judges voted him the 2023 winner a close race.
“We put more lights around the whole house, some small trees on the east side, more lights on the trees in the grove, to the old barn and a small storage shed,” he said. “I also made a wooden tree with lights and a big star.”
The lights dance to 13 different Christmas songs.
All the additional work Mark and his daughters put in paid off.
“I was elated and so happy when I heard I had won,” he said. “I felt really good and it made my day even better than it already was. I’d still do this decorating even if I never found out about the contest, though.”
One of the reasons for that is his late parents used to put lights on a couple of 35-foot evergreen trees with a big white bulb on top.
“My parents are smiling down from Heaven,” Sanow said.
Last year’s winner, Tom and Kim Abraham, who also live north of Minneota, finished second this year. Sanow garnered 107 points, while the Abrahams received 106 points. Josh & Bri Anderson of Minneota were third.
Sanow received seven first-place votes from the 12 judges, Abrahams received three first-place votes and Andersons had two.
“I liked how evenly the display was spread out,” said one judge. “I liked the music, too. Nicely done.”
Each year, the Mascot adds new judges to get a different perspective on the voting.
“It looked like a lot of work and the lights weren’t just thrown together. Everything was well organized and colorful,” said another judge.
Many of the judges agreed that any one of several homes could have won the contest and determining the order of finish was very difficult. Photos taken by Mascot staff members do not capture the full beauty and workmanship of the displays. It’s worth the time for families to view these displays in person. A list of those registered in the contest appeared in last week’s Mascot. Josh Anderson of Minneota finished third this year. Austin and Shannon Dritz, who live south of Taunton and won this contest in the inaugural season in 2000, came in fourth. Steph Hennen and Matt DeVos, the 2021 winner, were fifth this year.
Each of the winners receive gifts and gift cards in various dollar amounts. Sanow receives $500 worth of prizes. Second place receives $250, third place is $100, fourth place is $50, and fifth place $25.
Prizes are all donated by local businesses in Minneota, Taunton, Ghent and Marshall.
There were 19 participants entered in this year’s contest. The names of the remaining 14 who entered were thrown into a hat and three names were drawn as winners of a turkey or ham. Jason Boe and Laura & Chris Swoboda each won a turkey. Rodney and Karen Golden were the winners of a ham.

Past winners
2020- Austin & Shannon Dritz, Taunton
2021 - Steph Hennen/Matt DeVos
2022 - Tom & Kim Abraham
2023 - Mark Sanow & daughters Riece & Reaghan