Sparkle Awards

The Niagara Falls Sparkle Awards are back for 2024

The Niagara Falls Sparkle Awards is our free, outdoor Holiday display competition. Last year more than 50 homes officially entered the competition!  Altogether, 9 awards will be issued to our residents across three categories: Judge's Favourite, Best Effects, and the Fred Girardo Community Choice Award. Thanks to all for joining in the fun and showcasing your incredible talent and enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing all the spark-tacular displays!

Get Sparkly! There are lots of ways to participate:

1. Create an outdoor festive display at your home or business. See Official Entry Rules below. Registration is open November 17 - December 9, 2024 at noon. Registration Opens November 17!
2. 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! Map coming in early December!
3. Cast your vote in the Fred Girardo Community Choice Award. Voting will be open to the public during the judging window (starting at 6:00pm on Dec 13 to 10:00pm Dec 15 only). Voting Opens December 13 at 6:00pm!
4. Follow the competition on Facebook! Competitors campaign for visits and votes by sharing photos and videos. Facebook page coming soon!

Official Entry Rules

• Open to residential and commercial properties in the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
• Competition dates are Friday, December 13 through Sunday, December 15, 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 Sparkle 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 Sunday November 17. (MacBain is open 7:00am - 9:00pm Monday to Friday, 7:00am - 5:00pm Saturday & Sunday)

Rules For Judges and Public Voting for the Fred Girardo Community Choice Awards

• Assessments to be conducted from the curbside (sidewalk) only.
• Do not block traffic.  Be courteous to others.
• Voting for the Fred Girardo Community Choice will be open to the public during the competition (Starting Friday, December 13 at 6:00pm through Sunday, December 15, 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, Fred Girardo Community 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.

2023 Sparkle Winners

FRED GIRARDO COMMUNITY CHOICE AWARD (over 800 votes!)

• First Place | 8551 Milomir Street
• Second Place | 7373 Redhaven Crescent
• Third Place | 7936 Spring Blossom Drive
• Honourable Mention | 7301 Freeman Street
• Honourable Mention | 6548 Dunn Street

JUDGE'S FAVOURITE

• First Place | 3948 St James Avenue
• Second Place | 8090 Woodsview Crescent
• Third Place | 7001 Concord Crescent
• Honourable Mention | 6095 Arad Street
• Honourable Mention | 5394 Twidale Avenue

BEST EFFECTS

• First Place | 6095 Arad Street
• Second Place | 5394 Twidale Avenue
• Third Place | 4120 Campbell Avenue
• Honourable Mention | 3948 St James Avenue
• Honourable Mention | 8090 Woodsveiw Crescent