Lighting up the community

Times Reporter 

 

Christmas is just over a month away and that means many will be lighting up their homes for the holiday season. Canadian Tire is encouraging more people to get into the holiday spirit by entering the third annual Christmas Light Contest. 

“We wanted to do something to engage the community and Christmas lights fits well with our Christmas merchandising. It’s just an idea that we had and decided to give it a shot,” said Shelley Orford, owner of Strathmore’s Canadian Tire. 

The only rule for the contest is you must decorate your house. Some people in the past have turned their yards into a winter wonderland, and others have done a light display. 

“Whatever people do it enhances the neighbourhood and the community,” said Orford. 

The past two years there have been about 20 homes that have entered the contest, and Orford said she would like to see as many entriesas possible.  

In early December the Orford family will check out all of the entries to determine a winner.

“It’s fun, we love it. We go as a family and look at them all and our kids really enjoy doing that,” said Orford. 

“It’s been pretty easy to pick, it’s been obvious. Everyone does a great job, but usually each year there’s been one that’s really stood out. It wasn’t just the house it was the whole yard. It was beyond just a few lights on a house.”

The winner of the contest will be announced on Dec. 12, and this year they will win a $500 shopping spree. Contest entry forms are available through customer service at Canadian Tire, or in this week’s edition of the Strathmore Times on Page 20.