Have you ever had an overpowering urge to compete with Clark Griswold of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation fame and create a Christmas light display with such wattage that it’s visible from the International Space Station?

Or are your aspirations for decor more environmentally friendly, leaning toward wreaths made of pine cones and that North American native favorite: the American holly?

Wherever you are on that spectrum, the City of Marietta has a contest where you can display your creativity and holiday spirit.

The city posted the following description of its Annual Mayor’s Christmas Lights Decorating Contest on the City of Marietta website:

Mayor Steve Tumlin is excited to announce the return of the Annual Mayor’s Christmas Lights Decorating Contest.

This is the perfect opportunity for Christmas lights enthusiasts to help bring the holiday spirit to Marietta by decking out homes, businesses, and cars in dazzling displays of holiday lights! Whether you go big or keep it simple, Mayor Tumlin wants to see your festive creations shining bright this holiday season.

Contest Categories:

– Best in Show: The top prize for the most spectacular display!

– First Place in each of the following categories:

  – Homes

 – Businesses

  – Cars

How to Enter:

1. Decorate your home, business, or car with holiday lights.

2. Visit the online registration form to submit a photo of your festive display.

3. Be sure to submit your entry by Friday, December 13th, at 11:59 pm.

Important Dates:

– Deadline to Submit: Friday, December 13th at 11:59 pm

– Winners Announced: Thursday, December 19th on social media.

Everyone who lives or owns a business in Marietta is eligible to participate, so don’t miss out on the chance to showcase your holiday spirit and win a prize!

Get ready to light up Marietta and make this holiday season even brighter!

About the City of Marietta

The City of Marietta is the county seat of Cobb County. The latest estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau puts the population of the city at 60,867 which makes it the second largest city in Cobb County by population, smaller only than the City of Mableton.

Here are a few quick facts from the Census Bureau

Population
Population estimates, July 1, 2023, (V2023)	62,769
Population estimates base, April 1, 2020, (V2023)	61,073
Population, percent change – April 1, 2020 (estimates base) to July 1, 2023, (V2023)	2.8%
Population, Census, April 1, 2020	60,972
Population, Census, April 1, 2010	56,579
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent	6.0%
Persons under 18 years, percent	20.7%
Persons 65 years and over, percent	14.2%
Female persons, percent	51.3%
Race and Hispanic Origin
White alone, percent	45.3%
Black or African American alone, percent(a)	30.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a)	1.3%
Asian alone, percent(a)	2.1%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a)	0.0%
Two or More Races, percent	8.6%
Hispanic or Latino, percent(b)	18.8%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent	42.4%
Population Characteristics
Veterans, 2018-2022	2,377
Foreign born persons, percent, 2018-2022	17.2%

Housing
Housing Units, July 1, 2023, (V2023)	X
Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2018-2022	46.2%
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2018-2022	$376,400
Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2018-2022	$2,050
Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2018-2022	$569
Median gross rent, 2018-2022	$1,372
Building Permits, 2023	X
Families & Living Arrangements
Households, 2018-2022	24,403
Persons per household, 2018-2022	2.39
Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2018-2022	79.1%
Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2018-2022	24.3%
Computer and Internet Use
Households with a computer, percent, 2018-2022	97.2%
Households with a broadband Internet subscription, percent, 2018-2022	91.3%
Education
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2018-2022	88.5%
Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2018-2022	45.8%
Health
With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2018-2022	6.7%
Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent	21.6%

Economy
In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2018-2022	67.6%
In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2018-2022	61.1%
Total accommodation and food services sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c)	282,938
Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c)	2,324,868
Total transportation and warehousing receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c)	492,100
Total retail sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c)	2,099,654
Total retail sales per capita, 2017(c)	$34,643
Transportation
Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2018-2022	27.3
Income & Poverty
Median household income (in 2022 dollars), 2018-2022	$67,589
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2022 dollars), 2018-2022	$40,767
Persons in poverty, percent	12.8%

Businesses
Total employer establishments, 2022	X
Total employment, 2022	X
Total annual payroll, 2022 ($1,000)	X
Total employment, percent change, 2021-2022	X
Total nonemployer establishments, 2021	X
All employer firms, Reference year 2017	3,152
Men-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	1,993
Women-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	S
Minority-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	505
Nonminority-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	2,146
Veteran-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	193
Nonveteran-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017	2,443

Geography
Population per square mile, 2020	2,602.0
Population per square mile, 2010	2,451.4
Land area in square miles, 2020	23.43
Land area in square miles, 2010	23.08
FIPS Code	1349756