By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM—Each year, the Pelham Beautification Board awards residents for their Christmas displays. They select a residential winner and runner up, as well as the Power Express winner for those decorators who could compete with the Griswolds.

As an addition this year, the board is holding a contest for the best decorated business in Pelham, offering prizes for the winners.

“This year we really decided we wanted bus participation to jazz up our city,” said Paula Holly, Pelham executive administrative assistant. “We really, really were hoping to draw the businesses out.”

Holly said they will accept any kind of decoration from lights to bows and ribbons. First place winners can choose a free night of family skate for their business at the Pelham Civic Complex or four complimentary rounds of golf at Ballantrae Golf Club.

Second place winners of the business contest will receive a free booth at the 2016 Pelham Palooza.

Holly said the board will also be awarding the best neighborhood or community this year. Many neighborhoods put up archways on the streets and decorate together.

People can nominate homes or businesses, and the board will also be driving through all the roads in Pelham to look at all the decorations. The board will be judging decorations Dec. 8.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Holly said. “We have someone who takes us around. We look at all the lights and look at all the business.”

Holly said they usually get about four or five nominations before they drive around the city, so they make sure to stop by them as well.

“The ones that are nominated are usually really pretty,” Holly said. “They are worthy of the nominations.”

After the judging, the Beautification Board will notify the winners before Christmas. All the winners will be honored at a January City Council meeting.

To nominate decorations for the contest, call Pelham Executive Administrative Assistant Paula Holly at 620-6403 or email her at pholly@pelhamonline.com.