INUVIK - The annual Christmas decorating contest was swept by residential entries, due to a lack of decorated businesses.

Each year, the Town of Inuvik and the Northwest Territories Power Corporation sponsor the event, which normally has three residential winners and three commercial winners.

Elizabeth Firth stands outside her home on Kingmingya Road, which is brightly lit with decorations for the holiday. She placed second in the annual town lighting contest. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The judging for the event took place on Friday, Dec. 14, shortly before 5 p.m.

Judges for the event report that only one business had any sort of lights, which meant there were not enough entries for a proper contest.

In light of that, (no pun intended), the total prize money of $1,000 was split between people who lit up their houses with Christmas cheer.

The first-place prize went to Mervin and Robbie Joe on Wolverine Road.

Their yard is decorated with wooden reindeer in a pen, and an iglu and a tall inuksuk made of ice. Second place was split between the households of Jesse Harder on Ruyant Crescent and Elizabeth Firth of Kingmingya Road.

Third prize was split between Kelsie McDonald, Deb Karst, Gail Raddi and Ruthie Goose.

Karst's home has been an attraction on the east end of Mackenzie Road.

The most notable of her decorations is a small herd of reindeer, which move their heads to look around and to eat. Karst said she got them from a retailer down south.

"We ordered them online," she said of the electric animals. "We didn't see them anywhere in town and they looked nice."

After acquiring a few of the reindeer a few years ago, Karst completed the herd this year and her husband added some trees to make a scene in front of their house.

"We piled some snow from our deck and figured it would look nice if we put it all together," she said.

On the other side of town, the colourful display in front of Elizabeth Firth's house plays a tune for passers-by.

"My family helps me by setting up the decorations outside," said Firth.

"This year, they put a small music player in the display, so you can hear some songs when you walk by."

Firth also had her house showcased in a Christmas card. Last year, the Gwich'in Tribal Council chose her house for their corporate Christmas cards.

"Since my children were young we would decorate with the help of my older kids," she said.

"I always say that this is the time of year for the kids."