Maricopa residents spent the last 25 days slow-rolling down neighborhood streets, enjoying the festive cheer that dozens of homeowners spread during the 19th Annual Holiday Homes on Parade contest presented by InMaricopa. 

Whether they followed our interactive map by car or took a Ride 347 bus tour, the people have spoken and we are ready to announce the winner. 

Of 33 entries representing every Maricopa neighborhood, Alterra residents Anamarie Sofia and Jeff McDonnell earned a whopping fifth of the popular vote for their “Santa’s Workshop” display (stop No. 4 on the tour) at 45197 W. Jack Rabbit Trail. 

There were more than 900 voters. 

Anamarie, Jeff and their 7-year-old son Remington McDonnell moved into the house five years ago and have decorated it yearly since. 

“My grandfather had always done good holiday displays, my dad always had done good holiday displays, and we want to continue the tradition with our son,” Jeff said. “We do it for him.” 

Santa’s Workshop was made up of snow made of lights, elves and holiday projections on their windows and garage this year. With more inflatables joining the display every year, and some retiring, the home will never be exactly the same each season.  

Living on a corner home, Anamarie and Jeff take advantage of the extra space to put up decorations in a ditch next to their house. It’s the same thing they say they got approval for last year, but changed when they received warnings during this year’s Mysterious Mansion Mayhem contest. 

“They call it a common area, but it’s a drainage ditch, nobody goes through there,” Anamarie said.

“We’ve read through all of the CC&Rs, there’s nothing that says we can’t decorate it to our knowledge,” Jeff added.

The couple has been threatened with $50 daily fines starting from Dec. 18 from their HOA but have yet to actually see money leave their bank account. 

They hope to have a resolution in some form for future years, whether it be a holiday decoration permit or liability release. 

“All of our neighbors love the decorations, everybody’s complimented us on it, and there’s times we look outside and there’s a half dozen cars just enjoying it,” Jeff said. “It really makes us happy.” 

The sponsor for this year’s contest is Maricopa Realtor Dayv Morgan from HomeSmart Premier. The winners won $300 cash, $100 giftcard to Native Grill, $50 to Amazon, $40 to Raceway Bar and Grill, and two vouchers for free pizzas from Rosati’s.