Yampa residents are invited to tour the town this holiday season and cast their votes for their favorite decorations in Yampa’s annual holiday lighting contest.

A team of judges used to take stock of the town’s blinking lights and inflatable Santa Clauses each December, town employee Nora Phillips said. But this year, the town wanted to put its annual Christmas contest in the hands of the townspeople.

“We usually have a really good turnout,” Phillips said.

Voting forms were mailed out last week with the town’s utility bills and must be returned to Yampa Town Hall by 5 p.m. Friday. Everyone who casts a vote will be entered in a drawing for a Christmas ham. The winner will be drawn at Yampa Town Hall at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 22.

The top four vote-getters will be awarded South Routt Bucs, good at participating local businesses, purchased with prize money donated by Yampa Valley Electric Association. The winner will receive $100; second place gets $75; third place gets $50; and fourth place gets $25.

Phippsburg

Phippsburg residents have until Monday to submit an application for their community’s annual holiday lights contest.

Applications still are available at the Phippsburg post office, and judging will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, when a secret team of judges will roam Phippsburg’s streets and take a glance at everyone’s displays, said Julie Iacovetto, who helped organize this year’s competition.

Prizes will be awarded in adult and junior categories, with juniors being those younger than 18, Iacovetto said.

“For the junior category, the child is supposed to do most of the work,” she said.

Prize amounts will be determined depending on the number of entrants, Iacovetto said. Prize money was donated by YVEA and the Phippsburg Community Club.

Oak Creek

Oak Creek residents also can sign up for their town’s holiday lights contest. Entrants can sign up their house to be judged at Oak Creek Town Hall.

Josh Voorhis and Wendy Gustafson will judge the contest on the night of Dec. 23. Entries are accepted at Oak Creek Town Hall until 5 p.m. Friday.

Oak Creek’s best-decorated house will receive $100 off its next utility bill. Second place will get $75 off, third place $50, and fourth place $25.

– To reach Melinda Dudley, call 871-4203 or e-mail mdudley@steamboatpilot.com