10th Year of Holiday Lights and Festive Sights

Visit Effingham has announced its 10th annual holiday light competition "Holiday Lights & Festive Sights" for the 2023 holiday season!

Plan to decorate your residence or business to help spread holiday cheer and welcome visitors throughout the season. All residents and businesses residing within city limits are encouraged to participate in the competition.

The competition will feature three categories. They include: "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.

The City will announce one winner from each group. Residences and businesses need to be completely decorated when they are entered in the competition. A fellow citizen or the residence or business owner can nominate himself or herself.

Entries must be in by December 11th 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 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 December 15th through the 21st at noon. Winners will be announced on December 21st in the afternoon. The first place winner in each category will receive $250, with the business winner picking a favorite charity to receive the money. They will also receive a sign to be displayed in their yard through January 2, 2024.

Every person that participates in voting for their favorite holiday light display will be entered into a drawing for one of two $100 gift cards of their choice.

For more information on the Holiday Light Competition, please call 217-342-5310 or visit www.VisitEffinghamIL.com.