Annual Holiday Lighting Contest wrapped up with a dazzling display of community spirit, creativity and festive fun
The 6th annual Bristol Holiday Lighting Contest is lighting up spirits and bringing neighbors together with its dazzling displays.
“We have been in the contest the last two years, and it’s been a blast! We’ve met so many neighbors who love our display,” said Nyla Vargas on behalf of the Horan family, this year’s winner of the Bristol Holiday Lighting Contest.
Vargas praised her fiancé, James Horan, for the hard work he put into constructing the prize-winning display.
“Many people don’t understand the time and money that go into these displays, but I can say it takes a village,” said Vargas about the dazzling display at 291 Mark St.
Organizer Mike Prentiss expressed gratitude on the Bristol CT Holiday Lighting Contest Facebook group page to everyone who participated.
“Thank you all who participated in this year’s contest,” he wrote, “without you, we wouldn’t have the contest each year. No matter whether you came in first or last, just know you impacted at least one child’s life with your display.”
Contest participant displays on Payton Tce, Burlington Rd, Maywood Ln., Mark St.
This year’s competition saw plenty of shifts in the voting results, which Prentiss noted added excitement. “As in most years, we had a lot of movement in the standings, and that always makes the contest fun and exciting,” he said.
22 Payton Terrace light display takes second place in Bristol Holiday Lighting Contest-2024. J. Moran
Vote counts for the top 5 holiday lighting displays
- 291 Mark St. – 213 votes
- 22 Payton Terrace – 177 votes
- 324 Burlington Ave. – 90 votes
- 38 Maywood Ln.- 85 votes
- 1360 Stafford Ave. – 63 votes
Prentiss shared that the contest’s ultimate goal is to bring families together and spread holiday cheer throughout Bristol.
“The goal of this competition each year is to bring families from in town and out of town to Bristol and expand on the holiday spirit in the city,” he said. “I love hearing folks say they believe there are more lights on houses driving around due to the competition.”
Holiday light scenes in Bristol including Belridge and Moody Streets area and Page Park.
The contest, which garnered over 850 votes in just 10 days, remains a labor of love for Prentiss, who started it for his daughter, a Christmas light enthusiast.
While some have suggested changes to the contest format, Prentiss stands by the current system.
“Many suggest changes, but there is no other format that will get 850+ votes in a 10-day period,” he said. His response to all the well-meaning suggestions “There will be no changes to how voting happens in the upcoming years.”
As the contest closes, Prentiss reflected on the effort it takes to run the event and his excitement for the future. “It is a crazy two weeks every year, but it is all worth it! I hope everyone enjoys their holidays, and I can’t wait to do it again next year!”
Prentiss sends out a special thanks to contest sponsors
- Brian Evelich, Evelich Metal at Faith & Fire Forge
- Joshua James, The Window Guy and CT Holiday Lights
- Kori Gauvin Eagle, Keller Williams
- Matt Ryan, R&E Heating and Air Conditioning
- Jacobs Family (Melissa Jacobs)
- Bristol All Heart
- Jeffrey Caggiano
- Cheryl Thibeault, Bristol City Councilwoman
- Erick Rosengren
- Cara Christine Pavalock
- Scott Rosado
- Susan Parent Tyler
- Jacqueline Violette-Olsen
- Sebastian Panioto
- Andrew Howe
- Henri Martin
Lighting Displays Throughout the City of Bristol including, Stage Coach Rd, St St Stanislaus Church, Lights on Rosewood. | J. Moran
Explore Bristol’s festive lights: a Google Map of contest displays and more
As Bristol’s festive tradition continues to grow, the Holiday Light Contest proves once again to be a shining example of the city’s holiday spirit and community pride. You can tour holiday lighting displays in Bristol with the help of a map created by “i Love Bristol CT.”
The map features contest participants, displays, Lights on Rosewood , Bristol Park System displays and church, city Christmas trees and additional layers like Santa sightings and indoor displays at local organizations and garden centers—all organized into an optimized driving route for a festive and efficient tour.
“i Love Bristol CT” invites community members to share photos via Facebook of the featured addresses and other holiday lighting locations to enhance the map and showcase the magic of the season!
Images of interactive Google Map of holiday lighting displays in Bristol created by “i Love Bristol CT”
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