By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Helena Beautification Board announced earlier in December that they were hosting a 2016 Helena’s Best Decorated Christmas House Contest, and now the winners have been revealed.

This year’s contest was split into two separate categories: The Most Elegant Decorated Home (Martha Stewart Award) and the Most Over-the-Top Decorated Home (Clark Griswold Award). Each category winner was proudly able to display a yard sign as the winners and received a city of Helena Christmas ornament.

Those wishing to enter in the contest had until the Dec. 15 deadline and this year, 25 total entries were received.

All the nominations were posted on the Helena Beautification Board Facebook page, Helena Beautiful, on Friday, Dec. 16 along with a map of all locations.

This year’s winners were selected based on “likes” of each nomination on the Beautification Board’s Facebook page. Voting took place from Dec. 16 through midnight on Dec. 23 and each category winner was announced on Dec. 24.

The winner of the Most Elegant Decorated Home category was Tim and Kendall Ansley at 574 Rosebury Road. Honorable mentions were 2825 Bridlewood Terrace and 152 Appleford Road.

For the Most Over the Top category, the winner was Kris and Frances Courson at 5511 Roy Drive. Honorable mentions were1941 Riva Ridge Road and 160 Rowntree Path.

“Congratulations to the winners and all entrants for their hard work and dedication to make Helena a bright place to be,” members of the Beautification Board said in a press release. “Signs have been placed at the winners’ home to be on display. A map of the city marking all entries is posted on the Helena Beautiful Facebook page for enjoyment of going out to look at Christmas lights.”

The Helena Beautification Board is an appointed board of the Helena City Council. The Board believes that people and places are profoundly connected and thriving communities are rooted in individual responsibility and action. They host a variety of opportunities for the community to come together and serve each year. Events are posted on the Helena Beautiful page and announced via Twitter at @TweetHomeHelena.