Nov. 24. The registration window is now open for the annual Deck the House contest for the best outdoor holiday decorations in Cornelius. Winners will be selected in two categories: Traditional and Griswold.
Town residents have until Dec. 4 to visit the Cornelius Parks and Recreation website to nominate a home. Businesses are not eligible.

The contest is for the exterior of homes only, but decorations are allowed in windows that are visible from outside.

Once the registration window closes, public judging will take place from Dec. 8–16 each night from 6 to 9 p.m. Judging will only be conducted from outside the home.

Other rules and regulations:
• Judging will be based on “curb appeal” as viewed from the street only. Only decorations located on the street side of the property will be judged. Corner lots will be judged from both streets.
• Decorations may not cover or interfere with any fire safety equipment or walkways.
• Decorations must remain appropriate for children (no greater than PG-13), non-discriminatory, and free of political content.
• Participants agree to allow one or more photos of the exterior of their decorated home, as well as the home’s address, to be posted on the Parks and Recreation website, social media pages and e-newsletter, and used in future promotional materials.

Winners will be announced on Dec. 19 at Cornelius.org and on the town’s social media accounts.