Donation Increases Winnings for First-Ever Christmas Light Contest

Dec 12, 2024 / Spencer Schubert Communications Manager City of GI

Grand Island, Neb. — It took just five days for the first-ever City of Grand Island Christmas Light Contest to reach its entry limit of homes.

In total, 26 homes will compete for the title of best decorated home this holiday season, and the popularity of the event also increased the total winnings for the first year!

Local resident Josh Smidt, who is also an assistant manager for Hornady Manufacturing, is donating $300 to help expand the winnings to the top-3 homes. Along with $100 donated by the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation, the prize winnings will now be split up this way:

* 1st Place - $200
* 2nd Place - $150
* 3rd Place - $50

The participating homes are:

* 2824 Northwest Avenue
* 615 West 17th Street
* 2306 Gateway Avenue
* 208 East 16th Street
* 3933 Partridge Circle
* 216 East 16th Street
* 312 Redwood Road
* 303 East 17th Street
* 1934 Freedom Drive
* 509 East 15th Street
* 3145 St. Andrews Circle
* 591 East Capital Avenue
* 2018 Pioneer Boulevard
* 1042 East 19th Street
* 2604 West Koenig Street
* 1805 Peach Street
* 2009 West Koenig Street
* 1003 East 6th Street
* 1209 West 1st Street
* 910 Claussen Avenue
* 1504 West 4th Street
* 911 Claussen Avenue
* 1011 West 9th Street
* 915 Sun Valley Drive
* 706 West 11th Street
* 1103 East Sunset Avenue

“The community response to this contest has far exceeded our expectations,” Grand Island Parks & Recreation Director Todd McCoy said. “We’re excited to host what we hope will become an annual event for Grand Island Parks and Recreation.”

With the entry window now closed, contestant homes will have until Friday, December 13 to put the finishing touches on their displays. From December 14-18, a team of judges will score each home on a total of five categories:

* First Impression
* Design/Theme
* Originality
* Creativity
* Complexity/Craftsmanship

Judges will narrow the field down to the top-5 homes, and it will then be up to the general public to decide this year’s winners! Videos of the top-5 displays will be posted on the Grand Island Parks and Recreation Facebook page on Wednesday, December 18. The videos that receive the most engagement and interaction will be crowned the winners.

For more information, please contact Recreation Superintendent Jeremy Bachmann at jeremyb@grand-island.com or by calling (308) 389-0290.