Want to win an easy $200? Can you handle $100...how about $50?

It's simple. Enter the 2011 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce residential lighting contest.

To help inspire some new decorating in town, the chamber decided to dangle these green carrots in front of residents.

Here's how it works:

Any resident within the Village of Bluffton corporation limits may enter the 2011 holiday residential lighting contest sponsored by the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Cash prizes will be offered this year, to create a greater interest in the contest.
Three prizes will be awarded:
o First place, a $200 cash prize
o Second place, a $100 cash prize
o Third place, a $50 cash prize

Judging will take place Friday evening, Dec. 2. The Blaze of Lights committee will judge the residential contest.

To make certain your residence is judged e-mail: [email protected]. On the message line write: "Residential lighting contest entry." In the e-mail message list your name and street address.

The e-mail entry assures that your residence to be judged. However, judges may also consider displays not formally entered.

Now the fine print:

Bluffton Blaze of Lights Christmas Decoration Judging Rubric
Each Section is worth 5 points (5 being the best).

Detail:
Does this display demonstrate planning, thought and a methodical plan for the overall display?
Are all details clean and well taken care of?
Does the display show attention to detail?

Difficulty:
Does this home display show a level of difficulty in displaying and preparation?
Does this display appear to be easily assembled?
Does this display seem to have a theme or message?
Does this display have movement?
Does this display have an intricate design?

Movement:
Does this home display items that move?
Do pieces of the display move physically or maybe as simple as flashing or chasing lights?

Color:
Does this home display a great use of color?
Color should be bright and happy colors maybe traditional colors
(red, white, or green) or more modern colors (blue, pink, purple)

Wow Factor:
Does this home display cause you to impulsively say "wow"?

Traffic Pattern:
Does this home display impact the flow of traffic?

Good luck...and "wow" can come in a quiet form, if you know what we mean.