FAIRMONT — This holiday season will be markedly different as many families forego large gatherings to prevent further COVID spread, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find other ways to disseminate seasonal cheer.

The City of Fairmont and Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to light up the community through a holiday lighting contest, reviving a competition that has been dormant for more than a decade.

Many households and businesses already have put up their Christmas displays, perhaps in an attempt to capture some early holiday joy during these challenging times. Others will delay illuminating their property until after Thanksgiving, following the traditional holiday timeline.

You can follow a theme. You can strive for beauty. Or you can opt for abundance and mimic Clark Griswold in the movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” whose home holiday display was so extreme it was visible from outer space.

If you find you are lacking in lights and need to buy more, save your receipts for those LED bulbs to take advantage of the rebates offered by the city.

The lighting contest will be judged Dec. 16-19, with winners announced on Monday, Dec. 21, in two categories, residential and commercial.

If you wish to have your home or business included in the judging for the holiday lighting contest, contact Julie Zarling at City Hall at (507) 238-3937, or email at julie.zarling@fairmont.org or Kandi Menne at the Fairmont Chamber at (507) 235-5547 or email at info@fairmontchamber.org.

Prizes will be awarded in Chamber gift certificates which are redeemable at any Martin County business.

The residential contest will award a grand prize of $150, second place of $75, third place of $50 and fourth place of $25.

The commercial contest will award prizes of $125 and $75, respectively, to the top two winners.