Contest Rules

1. To enter the 2024 Judged Residential Category, confirm participation from November 21 to December 8 on the Very Virden Christmas website. Judging will take place December 9 to 15. Participants of the Judged Residential Category provide consent for their residential address to be shared on the Very Virden Christmas website and social media. Sharing these details provides those who are interested with the opportunity to drive by the shared addresses and enjoy the submitted light displays.

2. To enter one of the 2024 Viewer’s Choice Categories, you may submit your home or business by uploading a picture showing your decoration display to the Very Virden Christmas website . Submissions must be entered November 21 to December 8. Online Voting takes place from December 9 to 15. Participants of the Viewer’s Choice Categories provide consent for their residential address or business name/location to be shared on the Very Virden Christmas website and social media. Sharing these details provides those who are interested with the opportunity to drive by the shared addresses and enjoy the submitted light or décor displays.

   • Residential Properties are defined as properties including; single family homes, duplexes, condominiums, apartments with balconies, etc. Decorations must be visible from the street.

   • Business Property are defined as a storefront, building, or complex where business is conducted, goods are made or stored or processed or where services are rendered. Decorations should be visible from outside of the business.

3. To enter Deck The Door, participants will submit a family friendly photo or video of an interior decorated door to us so we can post on Facebook between November 21 and December 8. The photo or video is to include a small description of the décor theme used. The winning submission will receive the most likes, comments and shares as of December 15.

4. Deck The Door contest is not endorsed by Facebook.

5. Participants must be over the age of 18 or have parental consent and be a resident of Virden Township (or an organic extension of the township, such as those residences of Cemetery Road and Frontage Road, within reason.)

6. One contest entry submission per address, per applicable category. A participant may enter both the Judged Residential and the Viewer’s Choice Residential, but is eligible to only win one prize category in the order of; Judged Residential 1st, 2nd, 3rd, then Viewer’s Choice Residential. This coincides with the projected prize values from largest to smallest. Participants will not be eligible to win the same prize category in two consecutive years.

7. For the Judged Residential category there will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes awarded by 3 Judges chosen by the Very Virden Christmas Committee. The Judging Criteria includes:

   • Overall appearance

   • Originality

   • Effort

   • Construction quality

8. The judges will use a 4-point format as provided by the Very Virden Christmas Committee. Extra points may be given for moveable parts, music, gimmicks, or tying in with the Very Virden Christmas “Santa's Workshop” theme.

9. For the Viewer’s Choice categories, winners will be chosen by vote hosted on the Very Virden Christmas website. One vote per person, per category is permitted.

10. In the Viewer’s Choice categories including “votes”, the amount of votes received for each entry will be kept private until the end of the voting period. This information will be revealed at the end of the contest and once all of the winners have been notified.

11. All picture and videos submitted as part of the 2024 Decorating Contest become the property of the Very Virden Christmas committee and can be used for promotional purposes in print, social media, paid digital and website applications.

12. The contest closes – December 15, 2024.

13. Winners will be notified by telephone or email on or around December 16, 2024. Prizes will be available for pick-up at the Town of Virden office during regular business hours and contest winners have 30 days to pick up their prize(s). Winners will also be announced on social media.

14. Prizes have no cash value. Prizes must be accepted as awarded and cannot be exchanged for any other items or cash.

15. Any decisions made by the Very Virden Christmas volunteer committee will be final.

16. The Town of Virden, Valleyview Co-op, Very Virden Christmas committee, suppliers, participating businesses, employees and families assume no responsibility for any claims, damages, losses, costs, or expenses the contestant may incur while taking part in or resulting from participation in this contest and/or redemption of any prize.