Thanks to a $450 donation from First National Bank, Bluffton’s residential holiday lighting contest prize money totals $800 this year.

First National’s donation is assisted courtesy of Kasasa, its rewards checking account partner.

“The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce will award eight prizes this year, thanks to the contribution from First National Bank,” said Fred Steiner of the chamber. “We’ve created five new lighting categories and hope this encouraged residents to really make Bluffton a blaze of lights.”

Judging takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Residents wanting their displays judged must send a request to [email protected]. The e-mail request must have the family name and address listed.

Or, residents may mail their request to be judged to: 
Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce 
PO Box 142 
Bluffton, OH 45817

Here are this year’s residential holiday lighting contest categories:

First place overall -  $150 prize
Second place overall - $100 prize
Third place overall - $50 prize

New categories this year:

Mayor’s choice (chosen by Dennis Gallant) - $100 prize
Best religious - $100 prize
Best secular - $100 prize
Best “use of lights” - $100 prize
Best “minimal” use of lights - $100 prize

The contest is open to any residence inside the Bluffton village limits. Winners will receive Bluffton chamber gift certificates, which may be used in any Bluffton business.

In addition, winners will be listed on the village holiday light map. The free maps will be posted on the chamber website, available in businesses and in the red mailbox on the Presbyterian Church lawn.

Last year over 500 maps were distributed during December, which indicates the large number of out-of-town visitors who view the community’s holiday lights.

First National Bank’s lighting prize money is only a part of its sponsorship of this year’s Blaze of Lights.  Earlier this week the bank announced a program to reward residents who volunteer this winter in one of six local non-profit organizations. The bank will have a booth on Main Street on Nov. 30, which explains how residents may participate in that program.

Click here to read about First National's reward program.