It’s been two years since Bryan Watkins and his creative team won ABC’s “Great Christmas Light Fight” championship. The immersive, over-the-top Vegas-styled display gained national attention, significantly impacting Watkins’ life. “I’ve been a fan of the show for years, so I wanted to be a part of it,” Watkins said.
“We knew we had to push the envelope. If we were going to do it, we would do it all the way.” The “Great Christmas Light Fight” is a seasonal decorating competition series on ABC.
Four families across the United States compete weekly to transform their homes into a festive utopia with extravagant decorations. The winning display earns the homeowner $50,000. “To qualify for the program, you must be an extreme decorator,” Watkins said.
“Essentially, you have to be the best of the best.” Watkins, an “American Drag Queen” and “Ru Paul’s Drag Race TV Show” alum, performs under the stage name Shannel as a headliner at Voss Events’ Drag Brunch at Treasure Island. The Vegas entertainer is passionate about the holidays and typically brings the season’s spirit alive in a colossal fashion.
Competing, nationally, required him to pull out all the stops. “I wanted a completely immersive experience,” Watkins said. “I have been drawn to Walt Disney as a visionary my whole life.
He always pushed the envelope, making the impossible happen. That is how I like to think about decor and Christmas in general. When it comes to imaginati.
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