The Light up the Night Contest opened to the public on Saturday, November 18.
Members of the public will compete against each other for the top prizes in three main categories.
“It’s basically a Christmas light and Christmas decor competition,” said April Harrison, FCSS Coordinator.
Best Residential Lights will have three top prizes. This category is judged by a select few people.
“They will be judged by the mayor and myself and one other person to be confirmed,” said Harrison. “We’ll go around all the residences that enter and we will judge them based on a list of criteria and then pick the top three.”
The Drumheller Mail’s People’s Choice Award for the Best Residential Lights display will be chosen by the public through The Mail’s website. A link will be provided on Facebook when the polls are open.
Brightest Christmas Community is the second category.
“It could be Nacmine or it could be Riverside or it could be whoever,” said Harrison.
“So this is encouraging the whole community to get on board and really getting the community looking festive.
The third and final category is the Best Commercial Christmas display where businesses will decorate their buildings
“Previously it’s been judged by a panel of people wandering around but this year it’s just the people’s choice. So when they enter they will have to put up a picture of their business and people will vote online for the best Commercial Christmas Display.”
All three categories are equipped with prizes donated
by various businesses and organizations.
The purpose of the Light up the Night contest is to have a consistent festive feel to the entire community. Seniors will also be taking bus rides to check out all the different lights and decorations around town.
“This is a pleasurable thing for all ages. Kids love it and the seniors go round and they look at them all, and people come from out of town to come and look at the Christmas lights so we’re trying to help encourage people to make the best of our community,” described Harrison.
For any businesses with a competitive streak; bragging rights, a plaque and prizes are up for grabs.
“We’re really hoping to see more participation from businesses this year. Cervus Equipment won last year and they are pretty determined to keep their plaque,” joked Harrison.
For more information, check out the Drumheller Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Facebook page or the Town of Drumheller Website.
