Visit Effingham will host its 10th annual holiday light competition Holiday Lights & Festive Sights for the 2023 holiday season.
All residents and businesses residing within city limits are encouraged to participate. The competition will feature three categories: The More, the Merrier Award: extreme, over the top or interactive; The Hallmark House Award: classy, elegant, “Hallmark”; and The Spirit of Effingham Business Award: businesses, including exteriors and/or window displays. One winner will be announced from each group.
Residences and businesses need to be completely decorated when they call to enter the competition. A fellow citizen or the residence or business owner can nominate himself or herself. Entries must be in by Dec. 11 at noon. Call the Effingham Tourism Office at 217-342-5310 to enter your home or business in the competition.
After all entries are made, official judges will narrow the nominees down to the top three in each category. The public will then vote for their favorites. Entries can be voted for online at Visit Effingham’s Facebook page: Visit Effingham, at www.VisitEffinghamIL.com or in person at Effingham City Hall (201 E. Jefferson Ave.). Voting will be open Dec. 15 through noon on Dec. 21. Winners will be announced on Dec. 21 in the afternoon.
The first-place winner in each category will receive $250, with the business winner picking a favorite charity to donate the money to. They will also receive a sign to be displayed in their yard through Jan. 2, 2024. Every person who participates in voting for their favorite holiday light display will be entered into a drawing for two $100 gift cards of their choice.
For more information on the Holiday Light Competition, call 217-342-5310 or visit www.VisitEffinghamIL.com.