The city of Jamestown will begin accepting entries for its 2024 Holiday Lights Contest on Nov. 24.

City residents who deck their homes in festive decorations can win a ShopLocalCHQ gift card. Open to all residential properties within the city, the contest celebrates the creativity and holiday spirit of Jamestown residents across the city’s six City Council wards. The contest is sponsored by the city of Jamestown, Greater Chautauqua Federal Credit Union and Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union.

Eligibility is limited to residential properties including single- and multi-family homes, though only one entry per property is allowed. Nominations must include a high-quality photo of the decorated home, the home’s address, and can be submitted via email at lights@jamestownny.gov or mailed to City Hall at 200 East Third St., Attn: Holiday Lights, Jamestown, NY 14701. The submission period opens on Nov. 24 and closes on Dec. 14.

After the nomination period, the city’s selection committee will choose the top three decorated homes in each ward as finalists. Community voting will then determine the winners. Residents can vote for their favorite displays online at www.jamestownny.gov from December 15 through Dec. 20. Residents may cast one vote per ward, with one vote per resident in person or online using a valid email address to ensure fairness. Multiple votes from the same email address will be disqualified.

One winning home from each ward will receive a $100 ShopLocalCHQ gift card as a token of appreciation for their creativity and effort. The wards include:

– Ward 1 – College Ward

– Ward 2 – Lakeview Ward

– Ward 3 – Chadakoin Ward

– Ward 4 – Bergman Ward

– Ward 5 – Forest Ward

– Ward 6 – Willard Heights Ward

Those who need more information about which ward they live in can visit the city’s website at www.jamestownny.gov.

ShopLocalCHQ Gift Cards work just like a credit card at 165 participating merchants throughout Chautauqua County, including Art Cloth & Craft, Ballgame Heroes, Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce, CHQ Plus, Crown Street Roasting Company, Dot’s Gift Boutique, Farm Fresh Foods, Lena’s Pizza, Labyrinth Press Company, Jamestown Cycle Shop, Honest John’s and more. For a complete list of merchants, visit www.chqchamber.org.

Entrants should submit only one high-resolution photo per nominations to showcase their decorations fully. Decorations will be evaluated on creativity, originality, and overall visual impact. Decorations should be secured to endure winter conditions. The city of Jamestown is not liable for any damage during the contest period. Displays or decorations containing inappropriate or offensive content will result in immediate disqualification from the competition.

The City will announce the winners on Dec. 23 on the official website and social media pages. Prizes will be mailed directly to the winners following the announcement.

For official rules, nomination details, voting instructions, and a ward map, visit www.jamestownny.gov/holidaylights.