Third annual ‘Deck the House’ lights contest announced

Communities within Jefferson County will once again create maps for those interested in viewing creative holiday light displays as part of the third annual “Deck the House” lights contest, according to information released by city of Fort Atkinson officials. 

According to the release, Jefferson County residents may enter their holiday-decorated home in this free, countywide competition to win a special “Deck the House” ornament and other holiday-themed prizes from participating communities. 

Several directors of parks and recreation, and tourism departments within municipalities in Jefferson County joined together two years ago to create the family tradition, which is designed to provide safe holiday enjoyment, the release noted.   

Residents are invited to drive to the locations presented on the map and view the holiday displays, the release stated. 

All Fort Atkinson homeowners are encouraged to participate; no display is too big or small, Fort Atkinson Parks and Recreation Department Director Brooke Franseen was quoted as saying in the release. 

Those interested in participating in the contest may begin sending pictures of their decorated homes Monday, Nov. 21, to the following linK: https://bit.ly/jcdeckthehouse22.

To enter, photos must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. A deadline by which the public must vote for their favorite homes is Sunday, Dec. 18. One winner in each category for every community will be announced Monday, Dec. 19. 

The interactive map will be release for community viewing Friday, Dec. 9, on the Deck the House Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jc.deckthehouse, the release continued.  

The map’s interactive function allows viewers to build a personalized driving route to aid them in a self-guided tour. 

Those entering the contest will have a chance to win prizes in three categories: Most Elegant, Best Holiday Spirit and Clark Griswold. 

According to Franseen, the Most Elegant category will focus on the beauty of winter, and might include such decor as deer, snowflakes, lit wreaths, garland, trees or bushes, or snowmen props. 

The Best Holiday Spirit category focuses on lights and decorations that includes displays and inflatables. 

The Clark Griswold category will focus on lights, props, inflatables, rooftop and yard décor that makes a big statement, with its present felt across neighborhoods and vast distances. 

Members of the public will be tapped through Facebook to determine which of the categories best suits each entry, the release read. Each submission will be placed in a single category. 

Additionally, the release stated, category winners within Fort Atkinson will be entered as finalists to compete against other communities within Jefferson County. Prizes will be awarded through the Jefferson County Area Tourism Council. Countywide voting begins Monday, Dec. 19 and ends Monday, Dec. 26. Countywide category winners will be announced Tuesday, Dec. 27, on both the Deck the House and Jefferson County Area Tourism Council’s Facebook pages. 

The Jefferson County Area Tourism Council website is here:  www.enjoyjeffersoncounty.com.

Participating Jefferson County communities include: Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Lake Mills, Whitewater, Cambridge, Watertown, Johnson Creek, Ixonia and Waterloo. 

Unsplash.com/James Wheeler

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