BOYNTON, BEACH. Fla. — Neighbors in a Boynton Beach community are getting into the spirit of competition this holiday season.
The Chapel Hill neighborhood is hosting its first ever Christmas lights contest.
Neighbors decorated their homes for the Chapel Hill Griswold Competition, a nod to the classic holiday film, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation starring Chevy Chase.
From now until Wed., Dec. 26, neighbors will vote on which home has the best decorations.
"It really got our street in the Christmas mood," said Adam Birdwell.
Birdwell and his wife, Maggie Whalen, started the competition.
"People that haven’t decorated in 20 years started to put lights up," said Whalen.
Their neighbor, Eric McDonald, helped start the competition. He said while it is friendly fun, he is also out to win.
"I am looking at about 6,000 lights on the roof, I have about 7,0000 lights on the front here and I am not even counting the palm trees," McDonald said.
The winner will receive a coveted Griswold trophy and bragging rights for the year.
While taking the trophy home would be great, McDonald said it will also be a great opportunity to connect with the neighborhood.
"Since we have been doing this I have probably talked to six neighbors each night since I put them up," McDonald said.
Chapel Hill hopes to carry on the new tradition for years to come.
