By Sarah Ali

December 13, 2005 | LEWISTON -- Lewiston's annual Christmas lights contest will end Thursday, with the city's arts council driving around the city to judge everyone's lights.

The contest has been going on "forever" according to Jill Harmon, arts council director. "I've been here for eight years and they've been doing it since then and for a long time before that too," she said.

Harmon said the contest is looked forward to each year, with some people making it their goal to be among the prestigious winners. "It encourages people to be festive and its fun to see all the lights," she said.

The date for the contest was posted in the city's monthly newsletter, which also noted that there would be four prizes awarded to those who the judges found worthy.

"There will be a sweepstakes, a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, we may also do one honorable mention this year, because last year the council went a little over board with the honorable mentions," Harmon said.

This year the council will also give signs indicating which placement they were awarded in addition to the usual cash prizes, Harmon said. "The signs will be put in the yards of the winners so that people driving can spot out which houses were the winners," Harmon said.

The Christmas lights contest will be the arts council's last event for the year. The council consists of community volunteers that commit three years of service to the council. This year three of the nine members are leaving.

"Its fun, we get all the council members together for one last time," Harmon said.

The council uses the funds it generates from activities it hosts, like last month's craft fair and the 4th of July quilt raffle, to do "fun and creative things in the community," Harmon said.

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