Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Northern Sunrise County/ Nampa Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is hoping to help get residents into the holiday spirit with its Battle of the Bulbs Christmas Light Up Challenge.
“We wanted to change things up this year and try to get our community members engaged in something during the festive season,” says FCSS director Amber Houle.
“I think this is a really creative way for people to get involved, especially people that don’t necessarily want to go to community events, but they still want to get involved with the holiday season.”
Houle explains there was a light-up challenge before 2020 in Harmon Valley that was organized by some residents, which is where FCSS got the idea to bring this holiday challenge back.
“It gives the residents of Northern Sunrise County and the Village of Nampa the opportunity to decorate their house, their yard, a Christmas tree to enter the competition,” says Houle.
Interested participants are being asked to decorate their house and yard with lights, decorations, and inflatables for a chance to win.
Four categories of winners include Festival of Colours (most colourful display), Winter Wonderland Whiteout (all white display), O Christmas Tree (Prettiest tree of any size in the window), and Golden Glow Award (senior category).
Seniors 55 and older are also invited to register for the Battle of the Bulbs Bus Tour and be special guest judges on Dec. 17.
“We’re filling up the community van with interested seniors, who would like the chance to go view all of the entries and help us judge the winners,” says Houle.
“We will be serving them hot chocolate, apple cider, and some treats that are baked locally. The seniors will be doing the judging for us and we think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
All entries must be received by Dec. 12 and winners will be announced Dec. 18.
To register for Battle of the Bulbs, please call (780) 625-3287 or email ahoule@northernsurise.net, or scan the QR code found on any of the county Battle of the Bulbs correspondence.