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ELKINS -- If you have a bit of a Clark Griswold look in your eyes come Christmas time, this is the year you've been waiting for because a little holiday lights insanity could net you some extra cash for the holidays.
The Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce is holding its first-ever Christmas Lights Display Contest for all of Randolph County. The contest will have two categories, with prizes going to both businesses and residents. Cash prizes will be awarded in each category, with first place winners collecting $2,000. Second place will win $1,000 and third place $500.
There will be non-cash awards for Best Christmas Tree (you can view it from the street), Best Traditional Display, Best Window Display, Best Apartment/Townhouse, The Griswold Award, The West Virginia Theme Favorite and People's Choice.
The City of Elkins and the Randolph County Commission are sponsoring the competition that will get under way at dusk on Dec. 4. An awards video will be posted on the Chamber's Facebook page on the night of Dec. 18.
"Hopefully we have a very vibrant Christmas Light contest this year," said Randolph County Commissioner Mark Scott. "Because of COVID, some things like the Christmas Parade are not happening this year. So we're hoping to bring some people into the community with the Christmas Light Contest."
At its meeting last week, the commission approved a funding request from the Chamber of Commerce for $10,000. Half of that money will go toward the Christmas Light Contest, while the other half will go toward next year's Fourth of July celebration.
"We are so appreciative of the sponsorship from the City of Elkins and the Randolph County Commission," said Lisa Wood, executive director of the Chamber. "This special Christmas edition of Roamin' Randolph will literally bring light to what has been a dark year. The Christmas spirit will be illuminated around Elkins and throughout our Randolph County communities. We hope as many businesses and residences who are able will participate."
Go to the Chamber's Facebook page or to its website at ercc.com to register for the contest. Rules and guidelines will be provided during registration and participants will be asked to submit a nighttime photo of their display. There is no cost to participate and a Google Pin Map will be created listing each business/residence that registers. Spectators will be able to use the map to guide them to the light displays.
"By holding the contest over the course of two weeks, you can choose where and when you are viewing displays," Wood shared. "Maybe one evening your family will head to Tygart Valley. Another evening, you could drive to Crystal Springs and Coalton. On a third night, you could head to Bowden and Harman.
"County residents will have time to enjoy the displays, vote for favorites, and watch the awards video on Dec. 18. Plus, the map will stay up until Dec. 28," she said. "Even after the awards have been presented, we encourage the businesses and residences to leave their light displays going until then so that guests/visitors can enjoy the lights all throughout the holidays."