Local Sports Calendar

Holiday Lights & Festive Sights

Visit Effingham is excited to announce its 10th annual holiday light competition, Holiday Lights & Festive Sights, for the 2023 holiday season!  Plan to decorate your residence or business to help spread holiday cheer and welcome visitors throughout the season.  All residents and businesses residing within city limits are encouraged to participate in the competition.

The competition will feature three categories.  The three categories consist of the following: 

- The More, the Merrier Award:  over-the-top, kid-friendly, or interactive; 

- The Hallmark House Award:  classy, elegant, "Hallmark";

and 

- The Spirit of Effingham Business Award:  businesses, including exteriors and/or window displays. 

We will announce one winner from each group.

Residences and businesses need to be completely decorated when they call to enter the competition.  A fellow citizen or the residence or business owner can nominate himself or herself.  Entries must be in by December 11th at noon.  Call the Effingham Tourism Office at 217-342-5310 to enter your home or business in the competition. 

After all entries have been made, official judges will narrow the nominees down to the top three in each category.  The top three will then be voted on by the public.  Everyone is encouraged to vote.  The link to vote will be shared on Visit Effingham's Facebook page:  Visit Effingham, at www.visiteffinghamil.com, or you can also vote in person at Effingham City Hall (201 E. Jefferson Ave).  Voting will open up from December 15th through the 21st, at noon.  Winners will be announced on December 21st in the afternoon.

The first-place winner in each category will receive $250, with the business winner picking a favorite charity to donate their winnings to.  They will also receive a sign to be displayed in their yard through January 2.

Every person that participates in voting will be entered into a drawing where two individuals will be selected to win a $100 gift card of their choice.

For more information on the Holiday Light Competition, please call 217-342-5310.

Entries Due:  December 11th at Noon

Public Voting:  December 15th - 21st

Winners Announced:  December 21st