Ackmanns, Whitnall Need Your Vote!

If the Deck the House competition were a sprint, the Ackmanns and the Whitnall School District might be near the back of the pack.

As of Thursday morning, several homes have more than 10 times the number of votes the Ackmanns’ home at 3808 S. 104th St. in Greenfield does.

But thankfully there is a week left before voting ends, and Andy Ackmann, who helped his father Dan decorate the home with a dazzling light display set to music, is holding out hope for the grand prize: $100,000 for the local school district.

“It’s looking pretty impossible right now,” Andy Ackmann said. “Some houses have 600, 700 or 800 votes. But you never know.”

The Ackmanns’ light display has been an annual tradition for years. This season, the family has two new songs and some new lights: additional lights on the room and new spotlights.

“There’s been steady traffic every day,” Andy Ackmann said. “This weekend, Christmas Eve and Day will be completely insane.”

Andy Ackmann, a 2002 Whitnall graduate, said his family was thrilled to be chosen as one of 25 national finalists out of the hundreds that entered the Patch contest. As a finalist, the Ackmanns will receive up to $500 for their electric bill.

Andy Ackmann said he and his family and friends have hit social media networks and used word of mouth to spread the news about the contest, and said his parents ordered a yard sign that encourages people to vote for their house.

The Whitnall School District has put a link to the contest on its website, as did Andy on andyslights.com. And Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke announced the contest at a Common Council meeting Tuesday.

In addition, Patch is sending the Ackmanns a display banner and customized fliers they can hand out as well.

To vote for the Ackmanns and help the Whitnall School District win $100,000, visit the Deck the House contest page every day through Dec. 27!