FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS. A detail of one of the winning displays in the 2021 Chippewa Valley Parade of Lights.

Calling all Chippewa Valley Clark Griswolds! Yup folks it’s that time of year again – whether you’re a fan of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation or ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight – to channel your energy toward decorating the exterior of your home and create award-winning and public-pleasing holiday light displays.

Now in its fourth year, the Chippewa Valley Parade of Lights will run Dec. 3-31. The deadline for residents and businesses to participate has been extended until Sunday, Dec. 10, which is coming up quickly. Participation is open to all homes and businesses in the Eau Claire and Altoona school districts, and entries will have the chance to win bragging rights as well as some yet-to-be-determined prizes. And everyone can get a map of the participating homes and businesses to tour the displays and add their oohs and aahs.

The contest is for exterior decoration only. A panel of community members will judge the displays based on “curb appeal” as viewed from the street Dec. 15 to 17, from 6-9pm for these categories: Best Use of Lights, Most Entertaining, Most Creative Theme, and Judges Choice. Winners will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 21, with winning entries posted on the Chippewa Valley Parade of Lights Facebook page.  

All entries will be posted on the Facebook page where members of the public will be able to vote for the People’s Choice Award from Monday Dec. 18, through Wednesday, Dec. 20, with that winner being announced on Thursday, Dec. 21. Signs and prizes will be delivered to winners on Saturday, Dec. 23.

For more info, call Andrew “Mitch” Mitchell, citizen organizer, at (608) 297-1197 or email chippewavalleyparadeoflights@gmail.com for a one-pager on everything you need to know about the rules and registration/entry fee, etc., which you can also view below: