Manhattan Beach Roundhouse Aquarium Winners Light Up Beach Cities

EDITOR'S NOTE: All of the winners can be viewed here on the Roundhouse Aquarium website page devoted to the contest.

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — The Roundhouse Aquarium on the Manhattan Beach Pier has announced the winners of its inaugural fundraising "Light Up the Beach Cities" event and you'll want to see each and every winner and runner-up. Held to raise funds for the Roundhouse's marine science educational programs, the event offered seven entry categories and a public voting process.

The Best Overall winner went to an entire block in Manhattan Beach — the 300-400 block of 19th Street where the Walk Street residents turned their beachview slant of concrete into a beautiful display of holiday spirit.

The Kramers of Manhattan Beach won the Jingle Jangle Wheels category with the Giaconis of Manhattan Beach filling the next slot. Both families dressed in seasonal gear and decorated their Neighborhood Electric Vehicles.

The Merry and Bright Business category was won by the nonprofit Neptunian Woman's Club for its 2020 Holiday Window Display, which earlier this season won the Downtown Business + Professional Association's Holiday Window Decorating contest. Gum Tree in Hermosa Beach came in as runner-up.

The Holly Jolly Residence was won by the Gialketsis family of Manhattan Beach with their much-loved annual display of holiday lights. If you've ever driven past this house during the holiday season, you've seen it lit up festively for the Christmas season. The Velarde House in Encino cane in as runner-up.

In the Let It Sparkle category, the Hatlie House in Manhattan Beach took first with the Hanney House in Manhattan Beach coming in as a beautiful runner-up.

The Barber House in Manhattan Beach won the Magical Winterland category with 17th Street in Manhattan Beach taking the runner-up slot.

Holiday Whimsy went to the Arriaga House in Long Beach and the McKinnon House in Manhattan Beach.

"Our first annual Light Up the Beach Cities was a huge success!" wrote the roundhouse in an email sent to its subscriber list. "Thanks to everyone who entered and voted in our Holiday Decorating Contest, you truly helped spread cheer during a difficult year.

"All of the funding raised through this contest is supporting our education programs, and we are so grateful for your support!"