The Friends of the Canby Public Library congratulates the Anderson family of Canby for winning their inaugural Canby Christmas Tour of Lights on December 17.
The event, which was organized in lieu of the local nonprofit’s traditional Christmas Tour of Homes, let participants vote on their favorite non-professional light displays in Canby, with the first-place prize being a $250 gift certificate from Holiday Light Solution.
Local magician and businessman Scott Anderson and his wife, Stephanie, are well-known in Canby for their family’s Halloween display — but their Christmas lights are just as show-stopping. After finding out the results of Friday’s vote, Anderson expressed gratitude for the community’s support.
“We would like to thank the community for all the kind words and notes on the door,” Anderson said. “We really go all out for both Christmas and Halloween because we love to see the joy it brings others.”
The family will be able to bring even more magic to next year’s Christmas celebration with the help of Holiday Light Solution, the locally owned commercial and residential light seller and installer who was excited to sponsor the inaugural Canby Christmas Tour of Lights.
“Their display is amazing and I’m looking forward to helping them continue to tell amazing stories with their Halloween and Christmas displays,” said owner Adam Zagel. “We were thrilled to partner with the Friends of the Library and support such a great community event.”
Another well-known Canby display, a tribute to late Canby resident Clay Fillis that’s set to music on the corner of Northeast 10th and Ivy, took second place in the voting, winning a $100 gift card from Tour sponsor Puddin’ River Chocolates.
Scott and Teresa Sasse, who own Puddin’ River, won third with their own fabulous residential display at 1140 South Ivy Street.
The event also included several festive elements centered in and around Wait Park the night of the Tour, including a concert by the Oregon Trail Pitchpipers, a snow machine courtesy Canby Rental & Equipment and an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus (Ed and Judy Grautski).
Zagel of Holiday Light Solution joined Friends board members in greeting Tour participants, who came to Wait Park to collect their maps and turn in their ballots.
Donna Ellison of Ellison Team Homes and Vanessa Zimmerman of Academy Mortgage and their teams handed out hot cocoa and hosted more sounds of the season thanks to the local Canby Carolers group.
The Canby Christmas Tour of Lights is a spiritual successor to the Friends’ pre-pandemic Christmas Tour of Homes.
Last year’s Tour was virtual due to Covid-19, but the Friends board of directors was excited to bring the event back for in-person participation this year. (Participants still had the option of receiving their tickets and tour materials digitally for a contactless experience.)
“We are so grateful to our sponsors and the community for supporting this festive event,” said Friends of the Library chair Lois Brooks. “And, of course, the greatest thanks go out to all the homeowners who participated in this year’s Tour. Thank you for helping make this season bright. We look forward to bringing this event back bigger and better next year.”
For more information about the Friends of the Canby Public Library and how you can support their efforts with a tax-deductible donation, visit canbyoregon.gov/library/page/friends-canby-library. You may also follow the Friends on Facebook or visit their Book Garden bookstore inside the library during normal business hours.
