Here's two important announcements from the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce to Bluffton residents with holiday lawn displays.

• The chamber wants to put your display on the map. A map showing locations of interesting lawn displays in Bluffton is being created to give to out-of-town visitors to Bluffton following the Blaze of Lights. The map will be available at www.explorebluffton.com. It will also be available in the red mailbox on the Presbyterian Church lawn and at Bluffton Marathon. Send your family name and address to: [email protected].

• This year's holiday lighting contest has $500 in prizes. Details are below:

The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce invites all Bluffton residents to decorate their lawns for Christmas and to enter the Bluffton residential holiday lighting contest

Judging takes place on Saturday, Dec. 5. 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

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

Residential holiday lighting contest categories:
• First place overall - $150 prize
• Second place overall - $100 prize
• Third place overall - $50 prize
• Mayor’s choice (chosen by Judy Augsburger) - $50 prize
• Best religious - $50 prize
• Best “use of lights” - $50 prize
• Best “minimal” use of lights - $50 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.