CHRISTMAS COMPETITION: Time to light up neighbourhood

Your guide to the Biloela Home Timber and Hardware Christmas Lights Competition.

BEST LIGHTS: Chris McKinley showing off some of his winning Christmas lights in last year’s Biloela Home Timber and Hardware Christmas Lights Competition.

IT’S THE time of year when residents release their inner Clark Griswold to put together dazzling Christmas light displays.

The Biloela Home Timber and Hardware’s Christmas Lights Competition has returned for the third year, bringing tremendous joy and excitement to the region as we approach Christmas.

Tim Kessler from Biloela Home Timber and Hardware said the competition provided recognition to all the residents who put in the hard yards to create some fantastic displays.

“The competition brings joy to the community when the families are driving around at night looking at the lights,” Mr Kessler said.

“It costs nothing and it’s another free family activity that the kids love.

“Anything that can bring relief to distract us from the drought and the heat is positive.”

Mr Kessler said there were a few people in Biloela that always produced high-quality displays.

“Josh Behrendorff spends a lot of time on his displays and they have been great over the last few years,” Mr Kessler said.

“The Seagrotts also put in a good effort every year.”

Kym Seagrott enjoys being a part of the competition and providing a source of excitement and fun for her family.

“It’s for the kids to give them some enjoyment and to see all the lights,” Mrs Seagrott said.

“There probably is some friendly competition for a few people, but I’m just here for the enjoyment of it all.”

HEALTHY COMPETITION: Biloela Home Timber and Hardware’s Tim and Kent love the fun that comes with the Christmas lights competition.

Mr Kessler said the voting system had changed this year to an anonymous panel of judges in order to make the competition fairer after the previous Facebook votes method.

“If you had a heap of Facebook friends they could vote for yours and sway the vote and maybe some deserving winners missed out on a prize,” Mr Kessler said.

“This year there’s a panel of judges that will drive around on Saturday night (December 14) and look at the entries and we’ll make the decision on the Monday (December 16).

“We’ve had an influx of entrants this weekend gone, so we’re expecting a heap to come in over this week and into the weekend.”

Mr Kessler had some advice for competitors by hinting that bulk wasn’t everything and the biggest and best wouldn’t work every time.

“To contend, it’s about aligning with the themes of Christmas and particlualry bringing the most joy you can through your display,” Mr Kessler said.

To enter Biloela Home Timber and Hardware’s Chrsitmas Lights Competition, head into the store and complete an entry form and email it to [e-mail].

Entries close on December 13 at 5pm.

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