Time to light up Christmas, Whanganui

Lighting up Christmas -- the GJ Gardner team of Alex Sigley, Jarod Walker, Wayne Graham and Tony Jones.

There is still time to enter Whanganui's Light Up Your Home event and have the chance of winning some super prizes.

The ever-popular competition has got a bit of extra Christmas sparkle this year, with GJ Gardner proudly stepping in as main sponsor.

It is the perfect opportunity for homes and businesses to add some festive cheer, with the family-oriented event running from Friday, December 1, to Sunday, December 24. During this time contestants must have their Christmas lights turned on between 9pm and 11pm.

Apart from the many families and visitors who enjoy the twinkling displays, mystery judges could be passing by, checking out whose lights are burning brightest.

Chronicle commercial sales manager and GJ Gardner Light Up Your Home organiser Alison Hollard said the competition would run in five categories, with generous prizes sponsored by local businesses.

Cleveland 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 but make sure you get your entries in to the Wanganui Chronicle by 4pm Thursday, November 30.