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Light Up Orillia, spread joy and you could win big bucks in contest

'This is something people can do safely at their own pace, and it’s something to give people hope,' official says of contest that begins Monday

The Light Up Orillia Lake Country holiday light contest is set to get underway next week.

“This is an advance notice to tell people to get their decorations out and get ready,” said Allan Lafontaine, managing director of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce (ODCC).

The Light Up Orillia Lake Country contest is an initiative that has been put together by the chamber with the support of the city's Economic Recovery Task Force, Orillia & Lake Country Tourism, and Downtown Orillia.

The contest challenges residents and businesses to decorate their homes and shops with lights and decorations to bring the community some holiday cheer.

Residents and business owners of Orillia, Severn, Oro-Medonte, Rama, and Ramara can register themselves, a friend, family member, or a home or business that is nicely decorated by clicking here.

Once registered, contestants should head over to facebook.com/lightuporillia and upload a short video showcasing their holiday display using the tag line ‘Stay Safe Shop Local.’

Lafontaine says that once submissions start being uploaded to the Light Up Orillia Lake Country Facebook page a catalogue of decorated homes and businesses will be made available for the public to see.

“We hope people will share their lights with a creative video so people who can’t get out and drive around this holiday season can go to the Facebook page and at least see the lights that way,” Lafontaine said.

Those who submit videos of their decorated homes or businesses are encouraged to share their address so families can do their own holiday light tours.

“This is something people can do safely at their own pace, and it’s something to give people hope. We have all been struggling with this period of time,” Lafontaine said.

Beginning on Monday, Nov. 23, residents will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite decorated home and business; the highest number of likes on the Light Up Orillia Lake Country Facebook page will determine the winners of the contest.

“Some people do the Clarke Griswold, some people classically decorate, everybody has their own opinion and taste of what they like and we will let the public decide who has the best display in Orillia,” Lafontaine said.

A top prize of $1,000 in cash will be awarded to the best-decorated business, and a $1,000 gift certificate to a local business of choice will be awarded to the best-decorated home.

“If you are looking at renovating your house and you would like a gift certificate to a local hardware store or a contractor we can do that, or maybe you want to have $1,000 in meals to a local restaurant, whatever it is that choice will be in your hands,” Lafontaine said.

“The idea is to have people spend that money locally.”

There will be a minimum total of $10,000 worth of prizes up for grabs for successful contest participants who register before Dec. 21.

“Hydro One has come forward as a major sponsor of the prizes which is great news, and we have other people coming on board daily with prizes,” Lafontaine explained.

Lafontaine says the ODCC is hoping the contest spreads joy and encourages residents to shop locally this holiday season.

“Your friends, families, neighbours are all working for someone locally so it’s so important to have this community spirit event to help support the shop local campaign,” he said.


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Tyler Evans

About the Author: Tyler Evans

Tyler Evans got his start in the news business when he was just 15-years-old and now serves as a video producer and reporter with OrilliaMatters
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