It's the time of year for holiday cheer and the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is trying to make the 2020 season a little brighter by hosting a town-wide holiday decorating contest.

The contest is open to all Niagara-on-the-Lake residents and business owners.

To participate, photos of decked-out building exteriors can be sent to the town's Join the Conversation page at jointheconversationnotl.org/holiday-decorating-contest.

The top three submissions (per village) will be selected by public vote. First-place winners will receive a holiday prize valued at $150, second earns a holiday prize valued at $75, and third place winners gets a holiday prize valued at $50.

The town offers the following guidelines for the contest:

• Open to all Niagara-on-the-Lake residents and business owners.
• One photo per property.
• Only exterior decorating will be considered.
• Photo must be submitted by the property owner or with the property owner's permission.
• Contestants should be willing to allow the town to scale, crop, or alter the size and colour of submitted images, as required.
• Submitted photos may be shared and used by the municipality.

“Nothing lifts my spirit and warms my heart more than the twinkling of tinsel and lights this time of year,” Lord Mayor Betty Disero said in a media release from the town. 

“I think we all need an extra dose of that magic this year. So come on, Niagara-on-the-Lake, let's see you sparkle!”