Loveland residents and businesses can compete to out-decorate Clark Griswold starting Thursday, Oct. 1, when the city opens registration for its annual Light Up Loveland: The Griswold Christmas Light Contest.
The contest invites property owners within Loveland's corporate limits to go all out on their holiday displays for a chance at prizes, according to the city's event listing. The city stressed that having a Loveland mailing address does not guarantee eligibility. Only properties inside the corporate limits qualify.
Two categories will be judged separately: residential and business.
The residential winner will receive enrollment in a "Jelly of the Month Club," a nod to the 1989 film National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation that inspired the contest's name. Additional prizes will also be awarded. The business winner gets an illuminated sign declaring their victory, plus other awards. Runners-up in both categories receive prizes as well, according to the official entry page.
When registering, entrants can choose to place their address on a public community light tour map. That means neighbors and visitors will be able to follow a driving route past participating displays throughout the season. Entrants who prefer to keep their address private can opt out of the map.
Judging begins the week of Nov. 29. Winners will be announced at the Sixth Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival on Saturday, Dec. 5, in Historic Downtown Loveland, right before the tree is lit. The City of Loveland and the Loveland-Symmes Firefighters Association co-host the festival.
The city's Christmas tree stands more than 60 feet tall along the Little Miami Scenic Trail near West Loveland Avenue. It will be decorated with roughly 2,500 lights and 250 ornaments, according to the city's festival page.
Registration runs through November 27. The city's event listing and entry page show slightly different closing dates, so residents should check the entry page for the most current deadline.
Upcoming community dates
- Thursday, Oct. 1 — Registration opens for the Griswold Christmas Light Contest. Sign up at the city's contest entry page.
- Week of Nov. 29 — Contest judging begins across Loveland.
- Saturday, Dec. 5 — Christmas Tree Lighting Festival, Historic Downtown Loveland. Winners announced before the tree lighting.
