Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN)- Kevin McSwain has won the 2025 Cherryville Best Christmas Display contest with an elaborate light display dedicated to his late mother, Shirley McSwain, who died on Nov. 13th, 2025.
McSwain's display on Oak Grove Drive, officially named the Shirley McSwain Memorial Lights, won by just six votes in a close competition that drew thousands of votes across Facebook and our WNN website.
Kevin McSwain with his plaque and gift card while being interviewed by Rusty Wise - Wise News Cherryville's Best Christmas Display Contest 2025 - December 22nd, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
"I tried to get them up before she passed away, but I didn't make it, but she can see them now," McSwain said.
McSwain has been creating Christmas light displays for 35 years, a tradition he nearly abandoned before his father, Clyde, convinced him to continue. The display previously carried the name Clyde's Place Lights.
Shirley and Clyde McSwain, Kevin's parents, who the lights have been dedicated to
Kevin McSwain
"The year before he died, he guilted me into putting them up," McSwain said. "I'm like, okay, just lay a guilt trip on me. And I put them up. So, and I just added to it every year since then."
The massive display wraps around the entire house. It features a mix of vintage blow-mold decorations, including an antique 25-year-old nativity scene, modern inflatable characters, icicle lights, and oversized bulbs. McSwain estimates the collection is worth thousands of dollars.
With help from his brother this year, McSwain completed the installation in about a day, although it typically takes him two weeks to complete when working alone. The display requires a 12-by-16-foot storage building to house the decorations during the off-season.
Decorations located in the side yard at Kevin's home - Wise News Cherryville's Best Christmas Display Contest 2025 - December 22nd, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
"It's just whatever strikes my fancy," McSwain said of his decorating philosophy. "Just whatever odd thing I see at the store, I'll add to it."
McSwain's sister, Teresa Allen, and niece, Emily Willis, helped rally votes during the competition. McSwain's other sister, Renee Willis, also encouraged people to cast their votes.
The display incorporates Shirley McSwain's preferences, including white icicle lights around the house that the family once drove to Charlotte to purchase. McSwain prefers colored lights for the yard decorations.
Colored bulbs lining the front walkway of the property - Wise News Cherryville's Best Christmas Display Contest 2025 - December 22nd, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
"She liked white lights. So all around the house are white," McSwain said. "Out in the yard, they go colored because I like colored lights. So I gave her the house, but the yard was mine."
The front porch, showing the white lights that are dedicated to Kevin's mother, Shirley that border the home - Wise News Cherryville's Best Christmas Display Contest 2025 - December 22nd, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
Shirley McSwain worked at the Shake Shop for many years before retiring at the age of 80, and she had previously run the Playhouse Nursery with her husband. Many in Cherryville knew her from her involvement in those businesses.
The contest featured five entries: Shirley McSwain Memorial Lights on Oak Grove Drive, Chelsea Huffman on East Academy Street, Chris Breeze on Saddleridge Court, James Parton on Jane Street, and Tommy and Renee Allen on Karen Court. McSwain's win edged out the Tommy and Renee Allen entry by only 6 votes.
McSwain received a customized plaque featuring a photo of his house, two winner yard signs, and a $100 gift card for winning the competition.
Kevin McSwain holding the custom plaque that depicts his home - Wise News Cherryville's Best Christmas Display Contest 2025 - December 22nd, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
His lights will remain on through New Year's Day. His display in the front yard is located on North Mountain Street, about a mile north of N.C. Highway 150, however, his backyard lights can be seen on Oak Grove Drive.
The elaborate setup features red, white, and blue lights that honor first responders and the armed forces, as well as Christmas displays of Charlie Brown, the Grinch, Minions, Santa, and even a Christmas cow. Despite all the lights, McSwain said his power bill hasn't increased significantly thanks to LED bulbs. "I have switched them all to LEDs, so that helps," he said.
A view of Kevin's property from above - Wise News Cherryville's Best Christmas Display Contest 2025 - December 22nd, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
Our WNN team would like to thank all who participated. If you'd like to ride by and see each display in our contest, we encourage you to do so by clicking here.
Wise News Network wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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Contact WNN at newsdesk@wisenewsnetwork.com
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