Cookeville Department of Leisure Services turning on the lights for the Ninth Annual Holiday Home Decoration Challenge.
Recreation Programmer Sally Herren said the contest includes any resident that lives in a 15 mile square radius from the Putnam County Courthouse.
“We always have the Merry and Bright Holiday Home Challenge each year because it brings joy to the community,” Herren said. “To have people who have worked really hard on their decorated homes showcase them for the community to see.”
Herren said the Tour of Lights Map contains the addresses of each home entered into the challenge, as the department has recorded them. The Cookeville Planning Department created the map with GIS Systems Manager David Bailey.
Herren said the tour gives her family and others the opportunity to bond over looking at the lights every year. Herren said she has taken tours of the Christmas lights with her family for years.
“They can hop in the car, turn on some Christmas music, and go see all the lights,” Herren said. “I know that it gives a lot of people joy to see all the Christmas lights and the decorations around town.”
Herren said physical Tour of Lights Maps are available for use, as well as an online version of the map.
Herren said the challenge was started by her predecessor, Mildred Garrett. She took over the program three years ago, as the program has grown over those three years.
“And I have loved getting to see it grow each year, and next year is our 10th annual and I’m hoping it will be even bigger and better than this one.”