Columbia Basin Herald holds Christmas contest

Publisher to pay $100 of electric bill

COLUMBIA BASIN - Lighting up the night might be a good way to get a little money off your electric bill this season.

Columbia Basin Herald Publisher Harlan Beagley is hosting the Publisher's Holiday Light Show Contest.

Different variations of the contest have appeared in the newspaper in the past, Beagley explained.

"We've had numerous contacts here at the newspaper, people asking if we're going to host such an event," Beagley said. "And truly, a newspaper is in the position of printing photos and judging displays. It may or may not be our place to do it, but it would certainly be in the spirit of Christmas."

The contest is open to all homes within Grant and Adams counties.

"The winner will receive their electric bill paid, up to $100," Beagley said.

Christmas lights and displays at a residence will be considered. To enter, a person must take a photo of their own house and send it to the Columbia Basin Herald.

Entries may be submitted online to hbeagley@columbiabasinherald.com, mailed to the newspaper at 813 W. Third Ave., or dropped off at the front counter in the newspaper's Moses Lake office.

Entries must be received by 9 a.m. Dec. 24 to be considered.

Entries will be displayed in a photo gallery on the newspaper's Web site and a map on the Web site will show where entries are located.

The winner will be published in the print edition.

The newspaper staff will view all entries and select a winner Dec. 24.

The newspaper is not responsible for any lost or misdirected photos, Beagley added.

"If you do not have a camera, give me a call and if it's reasonable I'll come out and shoot a picture," he said. "No guarantees."

There is no purchase necessary and no official entry form. All entries must be marked "Publisher's Holiday Light Show Contest."

By entering, contest participants agree the newspaper may publish photos of their house.

All entries become property of the newspaper.

The first 10 people to enter receive two tickets to the Coeur d'Alene Resort's Holiday Light Show Fantasy Cruise to the North Pole. Advance reservations are required for all cruises. The tickets are valid for all cruises Sunday through Thursday until Dec. 20 only. The Holiday Light Show desk hours are from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Anyone interested in participating in the judging should contact Beagley at 509-765-4561 and make arrangements to be available Christmas Eve.