Lighting the holidays stays closer to home

With the Parade of Lights and the towns' tree and gazebo lightings off the table, it will be up to Douglas County residents to make their own spirits bright.

The towns will be turning on their Christmas lights, but without all the usual fanfare.

But if they want some extra attention, here are some of the more organized lighting contests.

Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce Holiday Decorating Contest

View decorated doors, storefronts, and sidewalks of local businesses and residents this coming weekend, Dec. 5. For details visit, https://business.carsonvalleynv.org/events/details/holiday-decorating-contest-36732?calendarMonth=2020-12-01.

Participate in the first Holiday Decorating Contest and be entered into the following categories: Best Holiday Door, Most Creative, People’s Choice, and Best of Show. Judging will take place after dark on Dec. 5. Find a content application here, https://growthzonesitesprod.azureedge.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/1302/2020/11/Holiday-Dec-Cheer-Contest-Entry-Form-Flyer.pdf.

Douglas County Historical Society

Walk through the gallery of trees on display at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center for the entire month of December. For hours of operation, visit http://historicnv.org/.

Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Light Up the South Shore Holiday Lights Contest

Enter your home or business in the holiday lighting contest to compete for prizes in one of the five categories: Best in Show, The Clark Griswold Award, Best Window Display, Neighbor that Sleigh-d Award, and People’s Choice.

All entries will be included on a Holiday Light Tour map of the South Shore. Participants should be willing to share their home and/or business address (private residents will not have their names listed). You do not need to be a Chamber Member business to participate. Homes and businesses submitted for the competition will be collectively judged by the Merry & Bright Ambassadors on Dec. 21. Trophies will be awarded for each award category as part of the winning prize.

Sign up at https://bit.ly/LightUptheSouthShore