Christmas lights and displays can be a heartwarming sight, but the arduous task of lugging the decorations from the basement or attic, detangling the many strands of lights and quivering with near-hypothermia on a ladder against the eavestrough, only to find out one of the lights has burned out, can be a thankless task.
Unless, of course, you live in the Battlefords, where the annual Lights Before Christmas competition has recognized the cheeriest, brightest or zaniest Christmas displays for well over 20 years.
The competition is put on by the elves over at Innovation Credit Union, the Kiwanis Club of the Battlefords and CJNB Radio, who each supply a judge for the event.
"It helps create a warm and festive atmosphere that sets us apart from other communities," said Kiwanis club member Don Salie.
The best residential display will take home a $500 Christmas gift card, provided by Innovation Credit Union, and the Jim Kite Memorial Award. Jim Kite is remembered fondly as a Battleford resident who promoted the spirit of Christmas through the years with his creative decorations.
Last year the grand prize went to Len and Leone Neville of North Battleford. In order to give everyone a fair chance, grand prize winners from the last five years aren't eligible this year.
Other plaques will be awarded for Best Singular Theme, Most Unique Theme, Best Christmas Display, Best Mechanical Display, Best Block Display and Best Commercial Display, which allows businesses to join in the fun.
In order to qualify, entries must be registered, which is free. You can either toot your own horn, or register a display you've seen along the way, by calling CJNB at 445-2477. They will accept registrations Dec. 13 and 14 only, so get those lights up!
Entries will be judged Dec. 16, with the winners announced Dec. 17.
