The Niagara Falls Sparkle Awards is returning in December, 2023!
Make your holiday bright…and spread cheer by turning your front yard or business storefront into a Christmas wonderland! It’s a perfect project for the entire family or your business to enjoy, so pull out your reindeer, wreaths, and of course, your lights! Sparkle Awards entry is free for all Niagara Falls properties and makes you eligible to win great prizes.
Get Sparkly! There are lots of ways to participate:
- Create an outdoor festive display at your home or business. See Official Entry Rules below. Registration is open November 29 - December 13, 2023 and the Entry Form is Coming Soon
- Tour the displays across the city with the Sparkle Map! Displays will be lit right Christmas, so hop in the car with your family and friends to see all the great decorations! Coming Soon
- Cast your vote in the People's Choice Awards. Voting will be open to the public during the judging window (starting at 6:00pm on Dec 15 to 10:00pm Dec 17 only). Coming Soon
- Follow the competition on Facebook! Competitors campaign for visits and votes by sharing photos and videos. Coming Soon
Official Entry Rules
- Open to residential and commercial properties in the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
- Competition dates are Friday, December 15 through Sunday, December 17, between the hours of 6:00pm and 10:00pm.
- Contest is limited to exterior decorations, which must be visible from the curbside.
- Decorations must not cover/interfere with any fire safety equipment, roadways or sidewalks/walkways.
- Keep everything PG-13.
- Special Effects/Lighting/Inflatables must be operating each night during the competition (between 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.)
- Voting/Judging may take place anytime during the competition dates/times.
- Photos & Media: participants must agree to have photos of their displays and their addresses posted online, including, at the sole discretion of the City of Niagara Falls: the Spooky Map, voting forms, and our social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter).
- Official Sparkle Awards Entry lawn signs must be placed in your yard and easily visible from the curbside. Free of charge, pick yours up at the MacBain Centre starting Wednesday, November 29. (MacBain is open 7:00am - 9:00pm Monday to Friday, 7:00am - 5:00pm Saturday & Sunday)
Rules For Judges and Public Voting for the People’s Choice Awards
- Assessments to be conducted from the curbside (sidewalk) only.
- Do not block traffic. Be courteous to others.
- Voting for the People's Choice will be open to the public during the competition (Starting Friday, December 15 at 6:00pm through Sunday, December 17, at 10:00pm). One vote per person, per entry/display. Online voting form is posted above.
Assessment Criteria
Judges Favorite:
- Originality (20 marks)
- Overall theme (20 marks)
- Creative use of lights and special effects (20 marks)
- Detail/placement of decorations (20 marks)
- Overall Presentation (20 marks)
Best Effects (20 marks)
Prizes
- Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each of the three categories: Judges Favourite, Best Effects, People's Choice.
- 1st place winners will receive a Sparkle Awards trophy!
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive a commemorative lawn sign acknowledging their sparkly display and category they placed in!
- 1st place winners will receive a $100 gift card of their choice
- 2nd place winners will receive a $75 gift card of their choice
- 3rd place winners will receive a $50 gift card of their choice
For more information on the program, please email or call Recreation & Culture at 905-356-7521 ext.3345 during regular business hours.
![Sparkle]()
