BURBANK : Decking Their Homes With Holiday Lights

Every year Dick Norton plugs in his “Winter Wonderland,” a frequent winner in Burbank’s annual holiday decorating contest, and watches his electric meters spin.

A couple of years ago, Norton joked with then-Mayor Michael Hastings that perhaps the city should give the contest winners a break on their utility bills.

He even considered not entering this year, not because of the cost but because of the hard work involved in bringing down the decorations from his attic and garage, but his 6-year-old daughter would not hear of it.

“When we get home at night, we can’t wait to read the logbook,” said his wife, Pam, referring to the book that the family puts out for visitors to sign.

The Nortons will be among about 60 families from throughout the city participating in the 11th Annual Holiday Outdoor Decorating Contest run by the Burbank Civic Pride Committee.

Contestants, who get a plaque but no help on their utility bills, compete for the best animation, lights, window display and neighborhood. A category was added this year for decorations by children younger than 16.

The deadline to apply for the contest is Dec. 13. Committee members will be judging the homes Dec. 15 from 6 to 11:30 p.m. and the winners will be named at a City Council meeting Dec. 21.

“We want people in the city to know where they can go to see these houses,” Burbank city spokeswoman Cinda Cates said.

The Nortons started decorating their home on North Florence Street in 1970 when the contest was sponsored by a local garden club.

Each year they have added something new. This year, the display will include snowmen, trains, a seven-foot ferris wheel with dolls, teddy bears on flying swings, and a merry-go-round.

“It’s been a tradition,” Dick Norton said, adding that the house had also won an honorable mention in a Good Housekeeping contest in 1985. The display, which they started putting up last week, is about 85% completed and should be entirely up by Dec. 11.

“It takes three full weeks to put up,” said Norton, who for Halloween erected a 900-square-foot haunted house in the front yard.