Decorating Contest Rules & Regulations

1. To enter the Judged Residential Category, confirm participation November 1th-23th on the Very Virden Christmas website at veryvirdenchristmas.ca. Judging will take place December 11th-15th.

To enter one of the Viewer’s Choice Categories, you may submit your home or business by uploading a picture showing your decoration display to the Very Virden Christmas website at veryvirdenchristmas.ca.

Submissions must be entered November 23rd – December 17th.

Online Voting takes place from November 23rd – December 17th.

Residential Properties are defined as properties including; single family homes, duplexes, condominiums, apartments with balconies, etc. Decorations must be visible from the street with the exception of the Viewer’s Choice categories.

Business Property are defined as a storefront, building, or complex where business is conducted, goods are made or stored or processed or where services are rendered. Decorations should be visible from outside of the business.

Senior Assisted or Independent Living Facilities are defined as apartment-type residences that are primarily intended for seniors ages 65+ as a rule. Decorations are concentrated to the door or entry way of the residence.

2. Participants must be over the age of 18 and be a resident of Virden Township (or an organic extension of the township, such as those residences of Cemetery Road and Frontage Road, within reason.)

3. One contest entry submission per address, per applicable category. A participant may enter both the Judged Residential and the Viewer’s Choice Residential, but may only win one prize category in the order of; Judged Residential 1st, 2nd, 3rd, then Viewer’s Choice Residential. This coincides with the projected prize values from largest to smallest. Participants will not be eligible to win the same prize category in two consecutive years, starting this year.

4. For Judged Residential category there will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes awarded by 3 Judges chosen by the Very Virden Christmas Committee.

The Judging Criteria includes:

· Overall appearance

· Construction quality

· Originality

· Effort

The judges will use a 4 point format as provided by the Very Virden Christmas Committee. Extra points may be given for moveable parts, music, gimmicks, or tying in with the Very Virden Christmas “Who-Ville” theme.

5. For the Viewer’s Choice categories, winners will be chosen by vote hosted on the Very Virden Christmas website at veryvirdenchristmas.ca. One vote per person, per category is permitted.

6. In the Viewer’s Choice categories including “votes”, the amount of votes received for each entry will be kept private until the end of the voting period. This information will be revealed at the end of the contest and once all of the winners have been notified.

7. All picture uploads become the property of the Very Virden Christmas committee and can be used in print, social media, paid digital and website in future promotions.

8. The contest closes – December 17th, 2023.

9. Winners will be notified by telephone or email on or around December 18, 2023. Prizes will be available for pick up at the Town of Virden office during regular business hours and contest winners have 30 days to pick up their prize(s). Winners will also be announced on social media.

10. Prizes have no cash value. Prizes must be accepted as awarded and cannot be exchanged for any other items or cash.

11. Any decisions made by the Very Virden Christmas volunteer committee will be final.

12. The Town of Virden, Valleyview Co-op, Sunrise Credit Union, Very Virden Christmas committee, suppliers, participating businesses, employees and families assume no responsibility for any claims, damages, losses, costs, or expenses the contestant may incur while taking part in or resulting from participation in this contest and/or redemption of any prize.