Tour of Homes Draws Huge Turnout

“For Immediate Release”

Tour of Homes Draws Huge Turnout

Washington, Iowa  —  December 10, 2019

The 2019 Candlelight Tour of Homes, sponsored by the Washington Chamber of Commerce, was a smashing success. Some 560 people visited the tour’s five decorated homes on December 7 and 8, more than double the number that has attended the event in recent years.

Over 20 volunteers helped take tickets at the homes and plan the event. Ashley Wilson and Barb Swift were the winners of the Selfie with the Elfie Contest. The contest asked those on the tour to find Buddy the Elf hidden at one of the homes,  snap a “Selfie With the Elfie”,  post it on their Facebook profile and tag the Washington Chamber of Commerce to be eligible to win free tickets to the 2020 Tour of Homes. Plans are already underway for next year’s tour which will feature homes in the rural area.  Tickets will be available in October.

This year’s tour featured  the Joel and Darci Witthoft home at 1106 East Van Buren Street which was built in 1890 and purchased by the Witthoft family in 2000. It featured five bedrooms and two and one-half baths within its 2,823 square feet of space.

Steven and Mikayla Slechta hosted tourists at their home at 803 South Second Avenue. This house was built in the 1950’s. The couple liked the location, bought the house, then proceeded to completely remodel it, adding a kitchen pantry, half bath and master closet.

Rachel Fishback showed all the most unique space on the tour at 115 1/2 South Second Avenue. She lives on the second floor of the Keifer Building with 5,000 square feet of living space. Her 2,500 square foot great room was designed to keep the feel of the 1930’s Keifer Garage, a Pontiac dealer that once was located in the building. Among the special features were a car elevator, large windows, five bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Andy and Erin Drahota at 610 South 10th Avenue opened the doors to their new home on the tour. This is the third home they have built in Washington. They love the openness of the great room and the way garland and lights line the archway between the living room and kitchen.

Jeremiah and Emilie Kaufmann’s home at 621 West Monroe Street is a 1900 Victorian home they purchased in 2017. Those on the tour saw its fireplace, stained glass windows and pocket doors as well as its early 1900’s antiques and restored treasures.

Tour visitors stopped at the Greiner Buildings, Inc. at 120 E Main for free refreshments during the tour hours and marveled at the extensive renovation of the former library building that houses the business. There was also a free photo booth sponsored by Community 1st Credit Union.

The event’s presenting sponsor was Home Team Advantage Realtors. A special thanks  to Greiner Buildings, Inc. and Jingle Bells 5K Fun Run.

The Washington Chamber of Commerce is a non profit organization started in 1935.  It is overseen by a  volunteer Board of Directors.  Our mission is it create a progressive business climate and to promote a high quality of life in the Washington Community.