Ipswich set to be merry and bright with 2021 Christmas Lights Competition
22 November 2021
‘Tis officially the season for residents to dig out their festive lights, merry decorations and favourite North Pole characters as entries are now open for the City of Ipswich 2021 Christmas Lights Competition Presented by Slater and Gordon Lawyers.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said entry for the beloved competition is free, quick and easy, and entrants can win a share in more than $8,000 worth of cash and prizes while spreading festive cheer.
“Many Ipswich residents and business owners go to great lengths each year to create uplifting light displays that transform front yards and shopfronts into merry wonderlands,” Mayor Harding said.
“It is always a wonderful experience visiting neighbourhoods across our city and seeing the joy on people’s faces as they wander our suburbs to enjoy the displays.”
Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee Chair Councillor Andrew Fechner said competition categories include Best Residential, Best Business or Organisation, Best Street, People’s Choice, Best New Entry and Best Sustainable Display, as well as a Listing Only option.
“The cash and prizes will be awarded to the winners and runners up in each of the six categories, with the winners of this year’s Best Street to enjoy an exclusive screening at Event Cinemas Springfield,” Cr Fechner said.
“The New Entrant and Best Sustainable display categories are about encouraging more households to enter the competition, and to share with our community what they love most about the festive season.”
Online voting and a full list of addresses of Christmas Lights displays will be available from 2 December.
Tanya Basford, winner of the 2020 Best Sustainable display, said her family start preparing for the competition by putting lights out the front of their Flinders View home from September.
“By the end of November, we are putting in eight-hour days each weekend to get everything right,” Mrs Basford said.
“Our favourite element has been our puffing steam train made from recycled aluminium cans. Unfortunately, it is starting to look tired so it will probably be retired after this season.
“I will admit that during set up I sometimes question why we do it, but once we switch it all on for the first time and I see everyone's faces light up, it makes it all worth it.
“I do it because I love it, it's my creative outlet, and the squeals of delight from the kids always gives me a rush and validates our family’s effort.”
Entries in the 2021 Ipswich Christmas Lights Competition are open until 9am on 29 November.
For design and safety tips and tricks for making your own suburban light wonderland as well as more information about the competition, visit ChristmasInIpswich.com.au
The 2021 City of Ipswich Christmas Lights Competition is presented by Ipswich City Council in partnership with Slater and Gordon Lawyers and is supported by Energex, River 94.9, Nine News Queensland, NGU Real Estate Ipswich, Events Cinemas Springfield, Choices Flooring by Mallets, Ipswich, Harvey Norman Booval, Premier Queensland and Pocket Retreats.