Family early to put up lights

IPSWICH will again be sparkling this Christmas thanks to the Queensland Times City of Ipswich Christmas Lights Competition.

Eight-year-old Mason Grunsell is already preparing for the QT Christmas Lights competition by setting up the lights in the front room.

IPSWICH will again be sparkling this Christmas thanks to the Queensland Times City of Ipswich Christmas Lights Competition.

Families like the Grunsells in Flinders View are already hard at work decorating their houses inside and out.

Phil Grunsell said putting up lights had become an annual event at his house.

"For us it's just a great way for me and my two boys to have some bonding time," he said.

"They just love it; they woke me up at 6 o'clock this morning telling me we had to get to work."

The competition has nine categories this year, the citywide winner, best residential, best rural, best business or organisation, best our street, best tree, best Nativity scene, best recycled material display and best first-time entrant.

Mr Grunsell said the enthusiasm had spread beyond himself and his two boys, Mason, 8 and Declan, 7.

In fact, his entire street of St James Place had chosen to enter the competition.

"I've had a chat to a couple of neighbours along the street and we'll be going in the street competition too this year," he said.

Entry to the competition is free and there will be more than $5000 cash and gift prizes on offer.

Entries will open on October 15 for all residents, businesses and community organisations in the Ipswich area.

Entry forms will appear in The Queensland Times, The Satellite and Ipswich Advertiser and must be sent into the QT offices by 4.30pm on November 12.

Originally published as Family early to put up lights