Calling all residents and businesses in Rio Linda & Elverta! It’s time to deck the halls (and yards) for the annual Christmas Lights Decorating Contest! Here’s how to join the festive fun:
Who can participate?
Everyone in Rio Linda and Elverta – homes and businesses are welcome!
How to enter?
Register online by November 29th using the official entry form.
When to decorate?
Make sure your dazzling display is set up and glowing by December 1st for judging.
What are the rules?
- Lights, camera, Christmas! Your display must be lit up and visible from the street.
- Family-friendly fun! Keep your decorations festive and appropriate for all ages.
- Safety first! Make sure your display doesn’t block sidewalks, driveways, or roads. You’re responsible for your creation’s safety.
How will the winners be chosen?
A panel of judges will assess your display based on creativity, holiday spirit, use of space, theme consistency, and lighting effectiveness. But that’s not all! Community members can vote for their favorite display through a social media poll (December 1st to 12th). The winner of the People’s Choice Award gets bonus points!
What are the prizes?
- 1st Place: $150
- 2nd Place: $75
- 3rd Place: $50
Winners will be announced during the RLE Christmas Light Parade on December 14th.
Ready to join the holiday cheer?
To Register online, visit the Rio Linda Elverta Chamber Website at https://www.riolindachamber.com/
Get registered, Light up your property, and spread some festive joy! For more information or questions, contact the Rio Linda Elverta Chamber of Commerce at Info@riolindachamber.com.
Don’t forget to use #ChamberLights on social media!
Complete Official Rules
Eligibility
- The contest is open to all businesses and homes located within the Rio Linda & Elverta.
- Participants must register by completing the official online entry form by November 29th.
- All displays must be set up and fully operational by December 1st for judging.
Display Guidelines
- Decorations must include lighting and be visible from the street at night.
- Displays should reflect a festive, family-friendly theme. Inappropriate or offensive content will not be accepted and will result in disqualification.
Safety Guidelines
- Decorations should not obstruct sidewalks, driveways, or public roads.
- Participants are responsible for their displays.
Judging Criteria
- Displays will be judged by the Chamber Christmas Contest Subcommittee based on the following criteria:
- Creativity/Originality – How unique and imaginative are the decorations?
- Holiday Spirit – How well do the decorations capture the holiday theme?
- Use of Space – Effective use of available space for decorations.
- Theme Cohesion – Consistency of the decorations’ style or theme.
- Lighting – The quality and effectiveness of lighting in the display.
- People’s Choice – The winner of the community poll will receive an additional 5 points added to their overall score.
People’s Choice Voting
- Community members can vote for their favorite displays through a poll on the Chamber’s social media page.
- Public voting will be open from December 1st to December 12th.
- Each participant’s photo will be posted with their assigned entry number and address (optional) to protect privacy if desired.
- Participants and the public are encouraged to use #ChamberLights when posting pictures or commenting on social media.
Prizes and Recognition
- Prizes are as follows:
- 1st Place: $150
- 2nd Place: $75
- 3rd Place: $50
- Winners will be announced during the RLE Christmas Light Parade on December 14th, immediately after the tree lighting ceremony.
- Winners agree to have their photos, business names, or addresses (if applicable) featured in Chamber promotions.
Liability and Disclaimer
- The Chamber of Commerce is not responsible for any damage, theft, or injury that may occur during the contest.
- By entering, participants agree to hold the Chamber harmless from any claims arising from their participation in the contest.
- Participants consent to the use of photos of their decorations for promotional purposes by the Chamber.
Disqualification
- The Chamber reserves the right to disqualify any participant for violating contest rules, including but not limited to the use of offensive or dangerous decorations.
- Late entries or incomplete registrations will not be accepted.
Additional Information
- Participants are encouraged to keep their displays up through the holiday season, even after the contest ends, to contribute to community spirit.
- For any questions or clarifications, please contact us at Info@riolindachamber.com
