Mishawaka family wins Great Christmas Light Fight

 

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Michiana is now home to an award-winning Christmas light display.

The Blasko family in Mishawaka has been known for their extravagant outdoor Christmas decorations over the last several years.

But this year, their display officially made them champions, taking home the trophy on ABC's 'Great Christmas Light Fight.'

Hundreds of families and eager-eyed kids walked through the Blasko family Christmas light display Monday night, soaking in the Christmas spirit.

"Their traditions are now to come to our display, and our tradition is to continue to put on our display," says Phil Blasko, who is responsible for the light display.

It's been a tradition for the past 10 years, growing bigger and bigger with more and more lightbulbs, blow-ups, and interactive displays every season.

Blasko credits his three children for their ideas and creativity to make it as big as it is now.

"It's something that we do together as a family for us to bond," Blasko says.

Even the youngest in the clan, four-year-old Lydia, lent her helping hands in this year's show.

"We've been working really hard to do the Christmas lights," says Lydia Blasko.

Nine-year-old Elliott, who's especially proud of his new addition, a bear-building workshop that he made from an old treadmill!

"We found this treadmill; it was really cheap. So, we were thinking about how we could turn this into Christmas decorations," explains Elliott Blasko.

The hard work and effort paid off, earning them a featured spot on ABC's 'The Great Christmas Light Fight' this year, and they walked away champions, earning a trophy and a grand prize of $50,000!

"Just to be on the show in Mishawaka Indiana competing against huge cities across the entire country and then finding out that we won."

Although they knew their light display would be pretty hard to beat!

"Well, I won't say we weren't expecting it, but it was surprising," Elliott recalls.

Even after their big national TV win, the main goal stays the same year after year, Christmas after Christmas.

"The goal is for us to be noticed by Santa first," Elliott says proudly.

To make it even better, it's all for a good cause.

The Blasko's take donations from visitors for the Center for the Homeless.

The community has one more chance to go check out the display, their last night open will be Christmas Eve, with the lights on from 7-9 p.m.

You can find the location on the Blasko Family Christmas Lights Facebook page.