Accio comfort and joy! The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14 — where 31 different agencies throughout King County showed off their holiday light displays, vying to be voted among the crowd’s favorites.

The story (and movies with countless pieces of merchandise) of “The Boy Who Lived” proved to be a popular theme among the agencies. First place prize — referred to as The BIG Trophy — went to South Correctional Entity for the “A Hogwarts Holiday” display, which featured popular characters from the “Harry Potter” franchise. The South Correctional Entity previously won The BIG Trophy in 2023 for their “A Star Wars Christmas” display.

Issaquah Police Department’s “A Harry Potter Holiday” was also among the crowd’s most favorite light displays, winning the Clark Griswold Award for the second year in a row, which is given to the agency that takes holiday decorating to the extreme.

The Renton Regional Fire Authority, with their “Elf Academy” display, won the Festive Innovation Award, which recognizes the most innovative and unique holiday light display, and King County 4×4 Search and Rescue won the Holiday Spirit Award with their evergreen display “Over the River and Through the Woods.”

This year’s holiday event included a food donation area and three food trucks, which included Uncle Bill’s Famous Corn Dog Shack, Fisher Scones, Café De La Loba and Dirty Dawgz.

”Harry Potter” displays were a major theme of the night. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

A working dog greeted guests for the King County 4×4 Search and Rescue display “Over the River and Through the Woods.” This display was presented by the Renton Chamber of Commerce.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) went with the Minions for their display.

The Seattle Animal Shelter kept it simple with a giant chihuahua costume.

Guests dressed up for the holidays at this year’s Battle of the Badges. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) went for a beach theme, complete with a surfing Santa Claus. Photos by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

The Kent Police Department even waxed their surf boards for their holiday display. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.

The Renton Chamber of Commerce offered a good old fashioned Santa and Mrs. Claus photo shoot. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.