What better way to get into the Christmas spirit, than to make your home or business sparkle in the Whanganui Light Up Your Home event? The ever-popular competition is proudly sponsored by GJ Gardner, and promises to be a memorable and glittering three weeks.
The family-oriented event will run from Friday ,December 1 to Sunday, December 24, and during this time contestants must have their Christmas lights turned on between 9pm and 11pm. Apart from the myriad families and visitors who enjoy the twinkling displays, mystery judges could be passing by at any moment during the promotional period.
Chronicle commercial sales manager and GJ Gardner Light Up Your Home organiser Alison Hollard says that this is to make sure that each house is seen to its full effect, and will allow them to be seen more than once during the judging period. In previous years, judges have toured all of the houses on one designated night.
There are five categories, with generous prizes sponsored by local businesses. Clevelands Funeral Home is sponsoring the $500 overall first prize, and second prize is a $200 Placemakers gift voucher. Best business entry winner and runner-up will receive $300 and $200 NZME advertising packages respectively, and best garden display will be able to keep their garden tip-top with a Wanganui Garden Centre voucher for $200.
This years's best new entrant will take home a $300 Firewatch Home Fire Protection package, and the people's choice first and second place winners will enjoy Pak'nSave vouchers and hampers to the value of $200 and $100 respectively to help put Christmas goodies on the table.
Entry is free, and open to the wider Whanganui region. You still have time to enter your house, garden or business in this year's event - just make sure you get your entries in to the Wanganui Chronicle by 4pm Thursday, November 30.
"It is such wonderful family entertainment, and guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit," says Mrs Hollard.