In the seasonal spirit, fraternities are reaching out to the community in the sixth annual Interfraternity Council (IFC) holiday lighting contest.
"We are really trying to make strides in making people feel comfortable with having fraternities as neighbors," said Andy Hackett, IFC president-elect.
Kappa Delta Rho, 420 E. Prospect Ave., was awarded first place for its display, accenting the house's stained glass window and using luminaries.
Last year's winner, Delta Sigma at 508 Locust Lane, won second place. Pi Kappa Alpha, 417 E. Prospect Ave., received third place. Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 200 E. Beaver Ave., finished in fourth place.
The IFC introduced new restrictions for the competition this year. Fraternities were only allowed blue, white, and clear lights and could not include fraternity members in the displays.
However, the fraternities found other means to express their holiday cheer. For instance, Pi Kappa Alpha featured seasonal music and a makeshift sleigh. Other houses featured decorations such as menorahs and a giant inflatable Grinch.
"We take [the competition] really seriously," said President of Pi Kappa Alpha, Bill Gagliardi (senior-accounting). "It's a lot of work but it really brings the brothers together."
The IFC encouraged safe decorating because the fraternities had issues with dangerous decoration practices last year. To support this policy, Kappa Delta Rho rented a cherry picker to make hanging lights on the roof safer.
Although only 13 fraternities entered the contest, more than 20 houses decorated their houses for the holiday season. One fraternity was disqualified for missing the 4 p.m. decoration deadline.
Last year's celebrity judges included Sandra Spanier, and Mike "The Mailman" Herr. This year, some greek leaders served as judges.
David Brownstein, IFC Community Relations Chair, said that seeing the smiles on children's faces as families walked through to admire the lights made it all worth it.
"It's really nice to see the families come out and have a good time looking at our decorations," said Steve DeCherico, decorations chairman for Delta Sigma.
