There were no hats, no gloves and certainly no snow, but oh, there were lights. Despite the warm weather, holiday spirit filled the fraternity district last night during the fourth annual Interfraternity Council Holiday Lighting Contest.
Thousands of sparkling lights covered the houses and lawns of 25 fraternities as they vied for the title of most holiday spirit.
A panel of judges traversed from one house to the next, led by event organizer Mark Krull, IFC community relations chair.
"The holiday lighting contest is a good way to combine community outreach and brotherhood, with some friendly competition to spread holiday cheer," Krull said.
The hours of dangling from ladders, makeshift scaffolding and hanging out windows paid off for the three contest winners, who will receive plaques of recognition. There was a three-way tie for first place between Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, 417 E. Prospect Ave; Delta Sigma fraternity, 508 Locust Lane; and Phi Delta Theta fraternity, 240 N. Burrowes Road.
"This is such a positive thing for the State College community, a nice thing that townspeople can take a walk around and look at. These guys are good kids," said Mike "the mailman" Herr.
Herr was one of the five judges, a panel that included Judy Albin, associate director of student activity; Scott Phelan, director of fraternity and sorority life; Mark Sherburne, assistant athletic director; and Cindy Moslak, associated student activities.
Some houses featured music of the season, hot chocolate and candy canes to delight the judges on their journey. Others, such as Theta Delta Chi fraternity, 305 E. Prospect Ave., were holding holiday celebrations.
"We're holding our philanthropy tonight," said Brian Bertges (freshman-chemistry). "Under our tree are presents that we've collected for local needy kids," he said.
Each house was critiqued on its creativity, style and overall appearance on a scale of 1 to 10. Point deductions were taken if the lights were any color except blue or white and if lights were used to emphasize the fraternity's letters.
"Does that count as a big red light?" Herr asked, questioning the use of an illuminated Santa Claus on the roof of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, 409 E. Fairmount Ave.
When the judges approached Pi Kappa Alpha, they were greeted by the fraternity members' depiction of a nativity scene. Donned in sheets, they posed as shepherds and wise men under about 10,000 lights.
"We appreciate being able to give back to the community," said Chuck Sprenkle (senior-accounting), a brother of Pi Kappa Alpha.
Delta Sigma featured a live Santa Claus perched on their roof among about 18,000 white lights.
"Santa Claus won my heart," Albin said, who asked him how he would get around with no snow.
Another of the judges' favorites was the creative candy cane theme of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Four large pillars wrapped like the holiday sweets surrounded a twinkling Christmas tree.
