‘A Very Buddy Christmas’: Towns continue light display competition

The Jefferson County Council on Aging, in Ranson, is one of the commercial entries in the 2021 Charles Town & Ranson Lights competition. Toni Milbourne
CHARLES TOWN — A new approach to the holiday season, developed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic safety restrictions, is continuing in Charles Town and Ranson, as the Charles Town & Ranson Lights competition has kicked off again this holiday season.
While parades and breakfasts, concerts and gatherings returned to some semblance of normalcy for this Christmas season, the lights contest that was developed to allow folks to experience some of the holiday sparkle last year will continue to offer the additional pizzazz.
Residents and businesses have joined in to offer spectacles for those driving through the towns at night to enjoy, all while hoping to take one of the prizes that comes with the contest.
Voting can be done via social media or paper ballot, which can be obtained at either Charles Town City Hall or the Ranson Convention and Visitors Bureau. Those paper ballots can then be returned to the same locations.
Mapquest navigation links have been created to provide guidance on where the homes are located that have chosen to participate. Over 90 entries can be found using the links which can be found on the Charles Town & Ranson Lights Facebook page.
Spectators can submit one vote per person, making their selections for their top picks in Charles Town and their top picks in Ranson. The selection of Best Griswold and Best Light Show can be made from either town, as can the best theme, which this year is “A Very Buddy Christmas.” Those voting should note that a home cannot win in two categories.
An overall winner of Best Neighborhood will also be awarded. Along with the lighted homes, several commercial entities are also participating and can be voted on in a separate category.
The entries, whether commercial or residential, range from complete overload of lights to modest and traditional white lights with greenery. Inflatable lawn ornaments again play a significant role in the decorating process with some locations offering music and motion to lift themselves just a notch above the crowd.
Each location has been provided a number that is visible from the street. The number is what spectators can use to cast their votes.
Participating homes and businesses will keep their lights on to at least 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends.