WARSAW — Christmas arrived early for Isabella Destiny Hughes Thursday night after she captured the grand prize at 107.3 WRSW's annual Ornament Smash.

Hughes, 18, became the youngest recipient ever to win the grand prize in an event that attracts throngs of people to the Warsaw Performing Arts Center for some pre-Christmas fun.

[caption id="attachment_102969" align="alignright" width="380"] Ornament Smash Emcee Kris Lake (L) talks with Isabella Destiny Hughes after she won the grand prize Thursday night at the Performing Arts Center in Warsaw as Micha Dilley with Lucky 7 Car Sales and the Christmas Grinch look on. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Hughes, a graduate of Whitko High7  School who lives in Pierceton, won a sky blue four-seater golf cart from Lucky 7 Car Store valued at $16,000.

Huges was part of a large crowd at the Performing Arts Center trying to win some of the 107 prizes available to those holding the coveted blue tickets.

Hughes bounded down the aisle and onto the stage after her ticket No. 56 was declared the grand prize winner.

So what does a teenage woman do with a golf cart?

"Definitely going garage sale'ing in the summer," Hughes told Ornament Smash Emcee Kris Lake moments after running up on stage.

Unlike many of the annual participants in Ornament Smash, Hughes said she was a first-time player in the Christmas tradition.

She said they'll keep the vehicle in the garage.

Hughes might have some competition in seeking to use the golf car — she said she has eight siblings.

[caption id="attachment_102964" align="aligncenter" width="826"] The four-seater golf cart, provided by Luck 7 Car Store, was on display at Thursday's Ornament Smash. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

Below are photos of Thursday's event by News Now Warsaw staff.

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WARSAW — It would be hard to imagine seeing Jaden Van Diegenbos doing any better than she did Thursday night in her first venture in 1073 WRSW's annual Ornament Smash.

Dressed in a bright red box wrapped in red Christmas-like wrapping paper, the Warsaw woman appeared right at home like a veteran competitor who comes away with more than one prize.

Not only did she win a $15,000 golf cart from Lucky 7 Car Store, she also won one of the coveted iconic Leg Lamps made famous from the holiday movie, a Christmas Story.

She also wore one of the more decorative-looking outfits seen in the crowd, sporting what looked like a Christmas gift box with arm holes.

The whacky costumes are part of the schtick at Ornament Smash as participants are encouraged to dress up in ways that emmulate the old retro TV game shows from the 1970s such as "Let's Make A Deal" with Monty Hall.

Game organizers increased the number of leg lamps made available as prizes this year from one to three and fans “loved” the change, said Show Host Kris Lake, who is WRSW's program director.

This year’s show moved a little faster than in past years.

“We worked really hard on trying to pick up the pace because it was a weeknight and we know people have things to do,” Lake said. “Yeah, we were really happy with the new format.”

The original concept of Ornament Smash was started by WRSW's General Manager Woody Zimmerman 12 years ago and has grown significantly over the years.

Lake has since added theatrics and amped it up with a glitzy dramatic feel.

The crowd was estimated to be around 400 people, Lake said.

The show has become a holiday tradition and developed a bit of a cult following with fans.  Sponsors, who provide upward of $40,000 in prizes, also continue to enthusiastically support it.

“It’s never going to go away as long as I’m here,” Lake said.

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WARSAW – A first-time player who just got married was the ultimate winner Thursday night at the 12th annual Ornament Smash and took home a souped-up golf cart.

Jaden Van Diegenbos, wearing a large red gift box as festive Christmas attire, was seated in the front row and perfectly positioned to run up on stage when her winning number was announced.

“I am blown away – I’m so excited,” she said seconds after the winning number was announced.

She won her blue ticket that qualified her for the big prize Tuesday when she got the cue to call while listening to 107.3 WRSW, the longtime sponsor of the holiday event.

Thursday's game show was the first she and her husband, Kyle had attended at the Performing Arts Center.

Her immediate thoughts after qualifying Tuesday weren't exactly on the golf cart.

“Everybody hopes to (win) but I was just happy to be on the radio,” she said with a giddy laugh.

She and Kye were joined on stage by the WRSW radio staff and the Lucky 7 Car Store owners, Travis Dice and his family.

“We are so excited. We can really use this golf cart. He takes me to a lot of tractor shows,” she said.

The cart is valued at $14,999.

The vehicle is a top-of-the-line 2023 Icon that includes four seats, an extended top and seat belts, according to Travis Dice.

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WARSAW — The Ornament Smash 'Kick-Off Bash' had been set to be outside in downtown Warsaw Friday night as part of the downtown Christmas celebration, but organizers are moving it indoors because of a rainy forecast.

Friday’s location for the Kick-Off Bash will be the Lakeview Middle School cafeteria from 5-8 p.m. 

The band Pick Slide is still going to perform live at the middle school and 107.3 WRSW is still giving away 25 Blue Tickets. 

We'll also have a food truck or two and listeners will be able to bring their food inside to eat during the party. 

While  Ornament Smash is moving inside, plans are still underway for Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department’s Light Up the Night at Central Park which runs from 6-8 p.m. Friday.

That event is a chance to see the first lighting of the massive light display. Kids will receive glow necklaces and goodie bags while supplies last.

There will be a lighting of the new Christmas tree on the courthouse lawn Friday night. Time is yet to be determined and we'll update that aspect when available.

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WARSAW -- A last-minute entry and a first-time participant in Ornament Smash won a golf cart three days before Christmas on a snowy Thursday night in Warsaw.

35-year-old Stephanie Faroh of Warsaw won the grand smash, topping off a festive Ornament Smash sponsored by 107.3 WRSW as a major winter storm began blowing through the region.

Ornament Smash feels like a throwback to the era of Let's Make a Deal and the days when radio folks liked to have outrageous fun. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes. Show Host Kris Lake donned a red-sequined jacket while morning show co-host Mandy Whitaker helped smash ornaments that revealed prize numbers.

For weeks, WRSW radio listeners have been vying for tickets that open the door for various gifts that had a combined value of $40,000.

The golf cart -- an ICON Custom Golf Cart from Lucky 7 Car Store -- is valued at $13,000.

Faroh stood up, high-fived her husband, Jimmy, and ran down the aisle and on stage after  Lake called her number – No. 51.

“It was an incredible event. Jimmy won a ticket at one of the First Fridays and I tagged along and won one of the last-minute tickets here tonight and it happens to be the lucky winner,” she said.

She said she was excited and grateful for the gift from Luck 7 Car Store in Warsaw.

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WARSAW - A last-minute entry paid off for a Warsaw woman at the annual Ornament Smash in Warsaw she walked away with an ICON Custom Golf Cart from Lucky 7 Car Store.

Despite snowy weather conditions, hundreds of festive contestants turned out at the Performing Arts Center in Warsaw for the annual gift giveaway hosted by 107.3 WRSW.

35-year-old Stephanie Faroh won the grand smash prize. She and her husband, Jimmy Faroh -- like many other participants -- were decked out in Christmas attire for the event.

The vehicle is valued at $13,000.

"It's incredible and it's a beautiful red color for Christmas!" Stephanie said afterward. "What an amazing event."

Look for a full story and photos Friday morning.

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Over $40,000 in prizes will be given out at the gift-giving event hosted by Classic Hits 107.3 WRSW.

The holiday event draws large crowds of people hoping to win the grand prize from title sponsor Lucky 7 Car Store. 

Ornament Smash begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

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