By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Pelham residents and business owners should make sure their Christmas lights are illuminated on Dec. 10, as the city’s Beautification Board is planning to tour the city to judge the top decorations in multiple categories.

The city is encouraging residents to make sure their Christmas lights are on by 6 p.m., as Beautification Board members will load into the Pelham Senior Center bus to tour the entire city.

During the ride, the Beautification Board will determine the top decorations in the residential, commercial and power express categories. The power express award is given to the house best resembling Clark Griswold’s house from the movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

After judging the lights, the Beautification Board will announce the winners before Christmas. The winners in each category typically are honored during a January City Council meeting.

To nominate decorations for the contest, call Pelham Executive Administrative Assistant Paula Holly at 620-6403 or email her at pholly@pelhamonline.com.