A Parade of Homes that winds through the cul-de-sac of very big dreams

Our favorite this year: ‘The Naples,’ by Harrington Builders.

Every year at this time, they open the doors of a stretch of spanking new houses in Central New York and allow the world inside.

Dreamers welcome.

Big dreamers, especially.

It’s called the Parade of Homes, and the only strict rule is that you must pull on the white, don’t-scuff-the-floor, disposable booties they hand everybody at the entrance. (That causes an odd-looking back-up at each front door as visitors search for a seat. Those go faster than the solid posts to lean on. Behind those luckiest folks are the courageous, hop-on-one-foot gang.)

Once inside the stately doorways, you’re greeted by a realtor, builder or designated enthusiastic representative of one or both, ready to present the short-sheet details. Three-thousand square feet. Purchased for $419,999. Furnishings on sale, by request. They’re glad to hand you a brochure with more information because all these models will be built on other lots throughout the area, too.

These babies are always decked out in a way that the hired designers figure will make you want to live there immediately. Of course, there’s no accounting for taste, so some of those attempts at spiffy living rooms and kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and basements make some visitors say no way. Me, I fall in love with each and every media room. And I always have a comment reserved for a walk-in-closet big enough to live in.

This year’s Parade started this past weekend, eight houses carefully constructed by seven of the best and bravest builders in Central New York placed on a new cul-de-sac in a neighborhood called Jamesville Grove Estates. Decades ago, I used to go to the Harvest Moon Festival on the grounds there just off the banks of the Jamesville Reservoir, at a lodge known as Jamesville Grove. Making that right turn off Route 91 brought back pleasant memories of grooving under the autumn stars.

What a gorgeous neighborhood this will be for the eight new owners, with water views interspersed with mature tree stands.

The houses are beautiful, although I must admit they always are, now a decade into this September tradition for my dear wife Karen and I.

Close, but not on top this year: ‘The Oakhurst,’ by Sciuga Custom Builders.

The Parade of Homes runs through Sept. 22, so there’s still plenty of time for you to visit and get ideas to take back to your own present no-place-like-home.

Just about every year, we come away loving the floor plans of the houses put up by Sciuga Custom Builders.

Sciuga has proved innovative with the single-story home that we prefer.

This year, though, “The Oakhurst” was two floors, great curb appeal for its 2,565-square-feet of three-bedroom, three-bath. It had a nice flow and I wouldn’t turn it down as a birthday gift, but it did not take our grand prize this time around.

The most unique house was “The Santa Barbara,” from Konrad Builders.

Most unique: ‘The Santa Barbara,’ by Konrad Builders.

The low-slung house indeed looked like it would feel quite at home out there on the left coast. From the curb, it spreads wide, one-story high, garage on the right side of the angle, stone facade almost the entire width of the house side, tin roof on top. Inside, you saw a second level of living — with the kitchen and living area — down below, for 3,000-square-feet to fill every need.

It stuck out among the eight no matter which front door you were looking out from.

This year, we found our favorite on our very last stop, the first house on the right side of the block, if you will. “The Naples,” from Harrington Homes, greeted Karen and I with that one-story-look we’re drawn to. We loved much about the 2,400-square-feet on the main level (and the 800-square-feet below in what they call the garden level). The lovely master suite in the back right of the main floor had a second entrance to the porch.