Dan Hess posing with his trophy and with his grandchildren on Dec. 19, 2024, (City of Hastings, Courtesy)
HASTINGS — For the 2024 winner of the Hastings Parks and Recreation Department’s Holiday Lights Contest, decorating for Christmas has been a lifelong enthusiasm.
Dan Hess received the most votes among competitors in this year’s Holiday Lights Contest with a collection of about 30 inflatables at his house, 420 S. Garfield Ave.
Voting took place Dec. 11-16 on the Hastings Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page.
“I’ve done it since I was a kid,” Hess said. “I’ve done my grandfather’s and now (Hess’s children and grandchildren) help me do mine. I just love the spirit of it.”
Hess was accompanied by family members Thursday afternoon, Dec. 19, when Recreation Coordinator Seth Webster presented him with a trophy for winning the contest.
Hess won the contest last year as well.
His grandson, 14-year-old Colby Detter, assists him in setting up the inflatables. That process began this year in early November.
“I think it’s great,” Hess said of winning. “I love doing it. Me and my grandson. He’s into it as much as I am. We get excited.”
Other homes participating in the contest this year included 1202 Nalan Dr., 1501 N. Highland Road, 610 S. Sewell Ave., 601 N. Bellevue Ave., 422 E. Seventh St., 109 Pacific St., and 3809 Lake Parke Lane.
While Hess is a long-time Christmas display enthusiast, inflatables are a relatively new holiday spirit outlet for him. He has been collecting inflatables a handful of years.
His number of inflatables continues to grow. One of his latest additions is an Inflatable Pink Breast Cancer Ribbon that Hess purchased in honor of his late partner, Colleene Hampton.
Hess likes the public interaction of having a big display, with people stopping by his house and calling out compliments.
“I’m 69, but I’m still a kid at heart,” he said.
As winner, Hess received a trophy made by Hastings Parks and Recreation Department staff, and prizes donated by the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce, Pizza Hut, Golden Ticket Cinemas and Runza.
