Steve Baker

It’s time to start getting your Christmas decorations out of storage and turn your home into a holiday showplace.

And for your efforts, you just might get an award.

Steve Baker, chairman of the second annual Lehigh Acres Christmas Home Decoration contest, said judges from area organizations such as the Kiwanis, the Rotary and the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce will again act as judges.

If you would like to be a judge, too, call Baker at 789-7971.

Sometime during the week of Dec. 12, judges will begin traveling throughout Lehigh on a tour bus owned by Baker to select the winning entry and list those with honorable mentions.

“We are asking folks to send in the address of the homes they think should be considered. They can nominate their own homes or their neighbor’s home or any other house in Lehigh that they think is worthy,” Baker said.

“We’ll list the names of the winner and the addresses of the honorable mentions in The Citizen so over the holidays residents can ride throughout the community to see the bright lights and other decorations,” Baker said.

To be considered for the competition, residents must apply by sending the address of a home to Decorating Contest, The Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, 25 Homestead Rd., 33936. Baker said the information can also be emailed to xmas2011lehigh@live.com.

Last year, the home owned by Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Gralinski on Covington Meadows Circle won first place.

“There are a lot of beautifully decorated homes in Lehigh and this is a good way to let people know where they are,” Baker said.

Last year, a panel of 12 judges rode the bus, had refreshments, and went to every home that had been nominated.

“By Thanksgiving, most people start decorating the outsides of their homes, so this is just a reminder about the contest,” Baker said.

“Not only do the kids enjoy seeing all the bright lights and decorations, but the adults do, too,” Baker said.

“The children like to get out and walk around. When you see them looking at the lights at night, they are in awe.

“Christmas is much more fun with all the decorations and Lehigh residents go out of their way each year to really make things beautiful,” Baker said.