'Christmas in the Grove' Wins $50K Top Prize on ABC

While Atlanta TV viewers watched the Falcons play the 49ers Monday night, the rest of the country was able to see what we missed -- the Paradowskis of the Oak Grove neighborhood won the $50,000 prize on "The Great Christmas Light Fight."

Their holiday light display at 1428 Oak Grove Drive was chosen over entrants from Fort Lauderdale, FL, Norman, OK, and Mechanicsville, VA. The Falcons game required Channel 2 to move airing of the show back at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. The show will be rebroadcast at a later date and will be available through Comcast On Demand.

Tony Paradoski said the experience has been "rewarding" and a great experience in giving back something to the community. Referring to the other contestants, he praised them for their efforts. "I hadn't known who the other people were. They had magnificent displays, and everyone put their heart and soul into them. They were amazing," he said.

The Paradowskis not only received the prize but the network handed them a large trophy known as a "bulbie," with a large clear Christmas light bulb. The family actually received the prize Nov. 13 as the network quietly filmed their presentation to the family.

When they were chosen for the show in October, the family had 21 days to complete the lighting, much less time than they have normally spent getting the display ready. Judging came on Nov. 5, with the award eight days later

Paradowski recounted how the street was closed off for the judging and the night of the presentation. On the night they won, fireworks went off in the neighborhood -- they're not sure from where -- and some people thought that it was a sign they had won.

Paradowski was particularly impressed with the professionalism of the Freemantle Media and ABC teams that produced the segment on their display.

The display continues through Jan. 1. In four years, the display has grown from 10,000 to 115,000 lights. So what are the plans for next year?

"I really don't know yet," Tony said. "I've strived to keep everything neat out there. I always want to keep it classy. The yard is kind of full."

"I guess we could go vertical," he joked, "but we're in the flight path of PDK (DeKalb-Peachtree Airport.)" Paradowski is a pilot for Delta Air Lines.

And the prize money? For starters, Tony plans to take his wife and family -- nine total -- to Hawaii -- in the spring. "My wife and I never had a honeymoon," he explained.

The Paradowskis encourage visitors to their display and their website to contribute to the ALS Foundation of Georgia. He said the extra media attention this year has helped with donations, and they are on pace to beat last year.

They are the second Georgia family to win on the show.. A Stockbridge family won $50,000 on a previous episode.

Patch will embed video from Monday night's show as it becomes available.