Round Lake offers holiday contests for residents and businesses

Round Lake wants to boost holiday cheer this year with holiday decorating contests for residents and businesses.

From Dec. 14 to 18, the village will host the Holiday House Decorating Contest. Residents will judge the entries, and votes must be submitted on the village's website by Dec. 18.

The winner will receive $150 and a yard sign, while second place will win $75 and third place will win $50. Winners will be announced at the Dec. 21 village board meeting.

Businesses will participate in a new Holiday Window Decorating Contest. Residents and shoppers will vote for the best windows starting Nov. 27 and running through Dec. 15.

"We're a very prideful community and we are happy to share the holiday spirit with others," Mayor Dan MacGillis said.

The village has been organizing the holiday house contest for a decade, but with little participation. MacGillis estimated half a dozen homeowners were involved in the contest in previous years.

Rather than having village trustees rate the houses, MacGillis decided to let residents be the judges this year.

"It's definitely a tradition, but we wish it were a little more embraced," he said.

MacGillis and village officials hope the contests will spread some holiday cheer despite the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on public events. The village still plans to host its annual tree-lighting celebration Dec. 7, but with a smaller crowd.