By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA – Do you think you have one of the best decorated houses for Christmas in Helena? If so, your home may be eligible for three awards being given by the Helena Beautification Board.

The Helena Beautification Board has announced the start of the 2019 Best Decorated Christmas House Contest and are now accepting nominations. In years past, only two award categories were available as the board has now added a third category that’s new for 2019.

This year’s competition will be split into three separate categories:

–The Most Elegant Decorated Home (Helena Beautiful Award).

–Most Over-the-Top Decorated Home (Clark Griswold Award).

–Light Up the Street Award.

The Light Up the Street Award is the newest for 2019 and will be awarded to a group of houses that light up the street. There must be two or more houses that participate to be eligible for the award.

Winners in each category will be awarded a yard sign declaring them as the winner.

Those wishing to participate in the contest may nominate their own home or someone else’s. All entries should be submitted by Sunday, Dec. 15.

The Beautification Board encourages residents to start making nominations between now and Dec. 15. To nominate a winning house, visit Helenabeautiful.com/2019christmashouse.html.

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.