Holiday Lights – a community-wide event

Every year during the holiday season, Tehachapi residents look forward to seeing all the neighborhoods decorated with bright colorful lights and decorations and this year is no exception. With all the restrictions on holiday celebrations this year, the City of Tehachapi decided to sponsor a holiday decorating contest for both homes and businesses within the city limits.

To extend the contest and make it a community-wide event, The Loop newspaper agreed to collaborate with the City, allowing for awards to be given to communities like Stallion Springs, Bear Valley Springs and Golden Hill that are located outside of the city limits.

Helping with the judging will be #LoveTehachapi, an organization that has served the community taking care of people in need, assisting the elderly and spreading positivity with everything they do. When asked to help, organizer Nicole Hamblin quickly responded, "Yes, of course; I know our team would be excited to be involved."

The initial announcement was made in a press release on social media and caught the interest of the Tehachapi Library. "We would love to partner with you guys on something fun for families to do while looking at the lights," said Veronica Wilson, Tehachapi Library Supervisor.

The Tehachapi Library is putting together Christmas light-watching bags that include a Holiday Lights Bingo card, hot cocoa pack, candy cane, an ornament craft, coloring page, a pair of cool glasses that refract the light and a small sleigh bell for the family Bingo winner.

"We encourage everyone to participate. If you are decorating your home or business, send us your address no matter where you live to share for families to drive by and spread a little holiday cheer," said Key Budge, Community Engagement Specialist for the City of Tehachapi.

A list of addresses of homes and businesses that are decorating will be available beginning December 11 on the City's Facebook page. Judging will take place December 14 through 16 and the winners will be announced on Thursday, December 17. Let this be a Holiday Parade of Lights that will put smiles on faces during this challenging time. Send an email to [email protected] and include your name, address and phone number to enter the contest or just have your home added for people to enjoy the lights.

The Christmas Light Bingo bags will be available for pick up at the Tehachapi Branch Library, The Loop newspaper (both on Green Street) and Tehachapi City Hall on Robinson Street.