Thigpens win garden club lighting contest

RED BAY — A climbing ivy “Christmas tree,” decorated with ornaments and carolers from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” runs along the side of Wesley and Donna Thigpen’s house.

A plow that belonged to Donna’s parents, Jimmy and Ruth Clements, sits in the middle of the display. It’s all part of the Christmas decorating they do in their yard and on their house each year.

The Red Bay Garden Club named the Thigpens as the winners of its 2025 Christmas lighting contest.

Club member Tracie Clark said the group invited residents to nominate their own homes, their neighbors or any display they thought should be considered. Clark said committee members drove around town for about three hours looking at displays.

“It just made Red Bay look magical with all the houses and subdivisions decorated,” Clark said.

Second place went to Jason and Tina Brewer, third place to David and Barbara Humphries, and honorable mention went to Harriet Bostick.

Donna said her husband, Wesley, handles most of the decorating and has been growing the display for more than a decade.

“He lights up the house and puts the star on top,” she said. “The nativity set is the oldest part. We’ve had that for several years. He added a big snowman a few years ago.”

The display includes figures chosen with their two young granddaughters in mind, including Paw Patrol, Olaf, Frosty the Snowman, and a large Christmas tree.

Thigpen said one of her favorite parts of the display is the Charlie Brown scene.

“We love the Charlie Brown story because it tells the true story of Christmas, about Jesus Christ and everything,” she said.

The display also includes painted wooden figures, including Frosty, Cindy Lou and Max, along with reindeer, one with a red nose added for Rudolph.

Donna said many of the pieces were made or modified by her husband, who begins working on the decorations around Thanksgiving. He spends evenings and weekends setting up and adjusting the scenes.

The Thigpens moved to Red Bay about 38 years ago when their oldest son was a baby.

Wesley previously served as a principal in Red Bay and now works part time with Franklin County Schools in curriculum consulting.

Donna worked as a teacher and psychometrist for Red Bay schools and still works part time. She said her father served as principal at Belgreen and later as Franklin County superintendent.

The Thigpens were pleased when the garden club selected them.

“We were delighted,” Donna said. “We were just so honored and excited to win and happy to let other people see our display.”

She said the display has become part of their family’s holiday time.

“Our children grew up and moved away, and they are here, and our little granddaughters have been enjoying this,” she said.

Donna hopes people get more out of the display than pretty lights and festive decorations.

“Whatwehopepeoplesee is the light of Christmas.”