Hannibal Parks and Recreation Holding Holiday House Decorating Contest

Any contest that has a category called "Clark Griswold" sounds like a good idea to us! If you're one of those people - or are a part of one of those families - that goes a little crazy with Christmas lights, tinsel, animatronics, inflatables, and artificial snow, then this is for you. Hannibal Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a house decorating contest during the holiday season.

“Our main goal is to get people to know where the great decorations are,” said Jenna McDonald, recreation supervisor at Hannibal Parks & Recreation, which will be putting together a list of houses that have entered the contest. “If someone sends in an entry, it means that they want to be on the list of decorated houses.” She said Hannibal residents can use the list when they drive around Hannibal and see all the lights and decorations. “It’s a fun way to get into the holiday spirit.”

Categories for the contest include:

• Clark Griswold
• Anything Goes
• Mayor’s Choice
• Best Use of Scene or Theme
• Most Holiday Spirit
• Creative Use of Lights

Mayor Roy Hark, Hannibal Arts Council director Michael Gaines, Hannibal Chamber of Commerce director McKenzie Disselhorst and others will be among the judges for the contest. Winners will receive a prize donated by SC Data, along with a sign donated by Park Place Sign Systems.

Entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. on December 21, judging will be December 22. The contest is open to Hannibal residents. Rules are available at HPR office, 320 Broadway or at the Hannibal Parks and Recreation website.

Addresses of entries will be available on the Hannibal Parks and Recreation website, and photos and addresses will be available on the Hannibal Parks Facebook page. Winning entries will be published in the Christmas edition of the Hannibal Courier-Post.

To enter the contest, email an exterior photo or video of your holiday display to jlummis@hannibal-mo.gov.