By James FitzPatrick
Contributing Writer
Looking to see some area’s outstanding lighting displays this holiday season? You don’t have to hunt around; they’re easy to find and all mapped out for you, courtesy of two decorating competitions in Northfield and Linwood.
Entry dates have closed for both contests, but addresses and maps have been published so the public can easily find and admire the decorated homes and businesses in all of their electric glory. And in Linwood, between now and Monday, Dec. 19, the public has the opportunity to vote for their favorites.
Northfield Mayor Erland Chau came up with the Mayor’s Holiday Light Tour contest about five years ago as a way to promote community pride and help residents and local businesses get to know each other.
“It gets people to know and experience these different vendors, what they sell and what they provide within the municipality,” Chau said.
Winners receive prizes solicited by Chau from the business community, which gives them the opportunity to explore something new.
“Someone for example, may have never heard of a restaurant, and now they have won a prize (and get to try it out),” he said. “It’s a community enterprise in terms of getting local residents involved.”
Entries will be evaluated by 10 independent judges, based on visual appeal, uniqueness, overall impact, safety and variety of decorations. All participants are included on the published map and will receive a certificate from the mayor.
The map with the list of 17 entries is posted on the City of Northfield Facebook page.
The Linwood Parent Teacher Organization is running a decorating contest of its own, but with a twist. Unlike Northfield, which has judges driving around in separate cars scoring the entries, in the PTO event, the public will determine the outcome.
Light Up Linwood was started in 2020 when covid caused the cancellation of many holiday events.
“Covid had canceled much of the wonderful holiday events held in Linwood and the Linwood PTO knew we wanted to sponsor an event that brought the community together,” said Jackie Matusz, Linwood PTO co-president. “With the full support of (Superintendent Brian) Pruitt and the Linwood schools and community, we created this event.”
Linwood PTO provides a list of all the homes with a hand-drawn map, created by local artist Paul Matusz, with the houses marked in order for easy viewing. Both are now posted on the Linwood PTO Facebook page.
You have until Dec. 19 to download your map, drive around, look at the decorated homes and vote for your favorites in three categories: Frosty’s Favorite, Rudolph’s Pick and Elf’s Choice.
The winners will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 21, on social media and at the schools. The three winners will receive a handmade basket of holiday goodies from the Linwood PTO, as well as a yard sign for bragging rights.
“Our goal as a PTO has always been to bring the community together. This event exemplifies this goal,” Matusz said. “The feedback we have received from previous winners as well as the feedback from the community has encouraged us to continue this tradition for many years to come.”
If you want to vote, you’ll need the list of the 26 competitors, which has a QR code that connects users to a voting form. Voting opened Dec. 12 and runs through Dec. 19. One vote per person please.
In Northfield independent judging will take place Dec 16, 17, and 18. All displays must be lit between dusk and 9 p.m. Winners will be announced on the city website and the city Facebook page Dec. 21. Chau noted that the contest includes businesses and homes, and entries don’t always have to be super fancy to win.
Mayor Chau’s Annual Holiday Lighting Contest 2022 Entries
1. 5 Ridgewood Drive
2. 2200 Wabash Avenue
3. 2 Forest Drive
4. 27 Juniper Drive
5. 262 W. Mill Road
6. 2303 New Road
7. 528 Ridgewood Drive
8. 2321 Burroughs Avenue
9. 2209 Grove Road
10. 6 Haviv Drive
11. 2 Joseph Court
12. 5 Cherrywood Drive
13. 710 Second Street
14. 213 Mt. Vernon Avenue
15.112 Mt. Vernon Avenue
16.107 Jackson Avenue
17. 105 Jackson Avenue
Light Up Linwood 2022 Entries
1. 3 Fischer Road
2. 1 Mill Lane
3. 4 Evergreen Road
4. 619 Revere Avenue
5. 501 W Vernon Avenue
6. *603 Brandywine Court
7. 5 Wexford Lane
8. 570 Central Avenue
9. 1004 Bartlett Avenue
10. 307 Joseph Avenue
11. *231 W Seaview Avenue
12. 2117 New Road
13. 20 Frances Avenue
14. 15 Seagarden Drive
(Tune Radio to 107.7 FM)
15. 2024 Shore Road
16. 213 Alexander Drive
17. 9 Hamilton Avenue
18. 110 Arlington Avenue
19. 1404 Franklin Blvd.
20. 205 Cambridge Avenue
21. 108 Glenside Avenue
22. 1150 Woodlynne Blvd.
23. 7 Delmar Avenue
24. 134 Sterling Avenue
25. 21 Barr Avenue
26. *6 Crossing Drive
* 2021 Light Up Linwood Winner
Copyeditor and Contributing Writer James FitzPatrick has been a community journalist in Atlantic and Cape May counties for more than 30 years, including 20 years as editor of The Current Newspapers. He lives in Hammonton.
