Holiday decorating events provide festive decorations across the area
Killington
In Killington, many residences and buildings are decked out, but the real show is inside them. Take the “tree tour” of participating businesses to view beautifully decorated trees that can be bid on to take home.
It’s bit of a departure from the traditional Vermont Holiday Festival forest of trees, but you can still enjoy the holiday splendor by following the Tree Tour. Some businesses have them outside, some inside and some with exciting treats. The trees can be viewed between now and Saturday, Dec. 12. A map to all the participating businesses is available at bit.ly/3lMPQ3G.
As always, you will have the opportunity to bid on your favorite tree for a chance to take it home! All trees are posted on the Virtual Silent Auction page at 32auctions.com/VTHolidayFestival.
The Killington Dept. of Parks & Recreation also invites everyone with a Killington town address to decorate their home or business for the season. Streets or small clusters of streets can enter to win bragging rights with a special plaque placed on their road sign for the year.
Any street can win – whether a single house pulls a “Clark Griswold” and strings enough lights to be seen from outer space, or several houses decorate together, judges will consider the enthusiasm with which the display was created. Condo units can get creative by decorating their street-facing windows. Small streets with fewer than five houses may partner with another connecting street.
Entry is free. The last day to submit online entry is Monday, Dec. 21. Judging by a small panel occurs Tuesday, Dec. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. All decorations must be visible from the street during the designated judging time. The winner of Most Enthusiastically Decorated Street award will be announced Wednesday, Dec. 23.
To enter, register at killingtonrec.com. Only one person needs to register for the group decorating together. If you are the only house representing your street, please also register. All participating houses or condos will be added to a holiday lights map. The community will be invited to drive through the streets to enjoy physically distant holiday cheer and share in Killington pride.
Please note the registration system will ask you to check out; however, because this event is free, just continue through the payment screen. For questions email Sarah Newell at recdirector@killingtontown.com or call 802-422-3241.
Rutland
The “Light Up Rutland” Facebook group has 30 participating locations, vying for prizes this season. The event, set up by Social Tinkering, offers a map to view the houses at socialtinkering.com/lightuprutlandmap and everyone is encouraged to view and vote, as well as donate to support the New Story Center.
In downtown Rutland, business are participating in a window decoration contest. Stroll through downtown this holiday season to admire more than 20 festively decorated windows. Vote for your favorite at downtownrutland.com/windowcontest in order to help that businesses win a prize. And when you submit your vote, you’re also entered in to win a bag of downtown holiday cheer!
Hartford
Beginning Dec. 10, the Hartford Parks & Recreation Dept. is sponsoring a town-wide holiday decoration celebration for all Hartford residents and businesses. Dig out your holiday lights, blowups, reindeer, and decorations! They are looking for decorated houses, yards, and businesses! Isn’t this the year to go all out? They want to high-LIGHT your house or business. Register your holiday light display by visiting bit.ly/3qCaw28. Sign-up is free for your home or business and you will have a chance to win prizes! On the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 16 a panel of judges will come by to take a look.
Hartford Parks & Recreation will create a map/list of all participating locations and share with those registered to view the light displays. Decorations must be visible from the road. They encourage participating houses/businesses to submit a photo. Please send a photo to recreation@hartford-vt.org with your display name.
Okemo Valley
#OkemoValleyHolidayLights is a new annual holiday tradition! Holiday Lights will help remind us how magical the holidays can be, especially in Okemo Valley. All towns, businesses, and residents in the 12-town region (Andover, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Grafton, Londonderry, Ludlow, Mount Holly, Plymouth, Shrewsbury, Weathersfield and Weston), are encouraged to decorate with holiday lights for the season. The OVCC will promote where to find them with a tour map and provide awards/prizes for the best we find! Send the Chamber a photo with your entry and they will also share your holiday lights on our social media.
For more information visit yourplaceinvermont.com/okemo-valley-holiday-lights.
Pittsford/Florence
Pittsford is holding a townwide decorating contest with prizes from local merchants. The top three locations will be voted upon by fellow community members. A voting link will be shared at facebook.com/pittsfordvt the week of Dec. 7 and the list of participating houses can be found at signupgenius.com/go/5080f48a4a82aa3f49-holiday.
Woodstock
This weekend is Wassail Weekend in Woodstock. Quaint shops and village homes will be decked in their holiday best, luminaries lit with care for those present and departed, stores stocked with one-of-a-kind gifts, and festive tunes will play to get you into the holiday spirit. These are just a few of the things that make Wassail Weekend a memorable experience for all.
There is also a contest for homes and businesses in Woodstock Village. Entries can be viewed on Facebook or Instagram, by searching for @WoodstockVT or #woodstockwassail. The “Deck the Door” contest will be judged by The Woodstock Garden Club on Dec. 13.
Brandon
Residents of Brandon are invited to participate in a holiday decorating contest. Entries will be judged in six categories.
Judges will perform the final evaluation round on Sunday, Dec. 20 starting at 5 p.m. so be sure to have your lights turned on! Brandon will also hold a reverse parade.
Email info@brandon.org with your address and category, post a picture on social media and tag Colleen Wright with the hashtag: #lightup2020 or leave a voice mail for Colleen (802) 247-3635 X211.
