There’s a clear winner for the best decorated house in Northern Virginia: The Horn family was officially crowned the latest champion of ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight on Thursday night.
Located at 21260 Rosetta Pl. in Ashburn, the Horn family bested the Martin and Vistalli families in California to take home the $50,000 grand prize and the coveted “Light Fight” trophy.
The winning display features nearly 90,000 pixel lights that cover almost every inch of the home’s exterior and front yard. As if that didn’t make Mike and Johanna Horn’s house stand out enough, the family also added its own soundtrack to synchronize the display. This was the first time in the show’s history that a family used original recordings throughout their light show.
“I have to say that your original score … that was unbelievable,” said judge Carter Oosterhouse. “It was music to my ears. It was music to my eyes! I loved every minute of it and that’s why you are the champions of The Great Christmas Light Fight!”
“It’s an awesome blend of the music with the family, so that it basically shows off the family’s musicality but also our love of Christmas lights,” said Mike.
While at the Horns’ home, Oosterhouse turned on the display with a pixel-lit guitar. The glow of the lights and dancing graphics on the house took over the street.
“Your house is magnificent,” said Oosterhouse during the show. “The entire scene runs all the way down from the roof to the front door. That looks like a TV screen. That is so impressive. You put lights everywhere! And, look at your roof!”
The pixel-light displays, which include handmade cutouts, a pixel forest, and colorful matrices that cover the house, but there was a surprise waiting in the backyard. Hidden behind the LED lights was a nostalgic display featuring all of the traditional, warm lights and wire-frame displays from Mike’s mom’s home.
“There’s so much magic back here,” said Johanna. “It just brings you to that childhood joy, that nostalgia.”
Visiting the Winning Home
Due to increased traffic, the owners of the Ashburn home are encouraging visitors to park on the main street of the neighborhood and walk down to the light display to avoid a backup in the cul-de-sacs. All guests will still be able to enjoy the full display as the music for the synchronized show also plays throughout the yard.
The Horn family is also collecting donations for four local organizations, including A Place To Be, LAWS (Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter), Loudoun Hunger Relief, and The Chris Atwood Foundation.
The display at 21260 Rosetta Place is on daily through December 26. Check Facebook for the most up-to-date information on the light show’s hours, as they sometimes vary. Rain and high winds will force the show to be turned off for the night.
Feature image courtesy ABC
