TOWN & COUNTRY CHRISTMAS LIGHTING CONTEST

WCEC hosts the Town & Country Christmas Lighting Contest each year. The contest is open to anyone within the boundaries of the co-op's service territory. Entries are placed into two categories:

Country - Entries that are powered by WCEC
Town - Entries that are powered by any other utility

The rules are simple—there are no special themes, and it doesn’t matter how many lights you use. The judges observe the overall design and appeal of your total Christmas lighting display.

WCEC directors judge all entries in early December. In the Country category, two semi-finalists are chosen from each of the nine co-op districts. They receive a cash prize of $50. Then, the judges choose first-, second-, and third-place winners from among those 18 semi-finalists. These winners receive an additional cash prize of $150, $100, and $50, respectively. 

In the Town category, there are three winners who receive cash prizes of $100 for third place, $150 for second place, and $200 for first place. 

A Best of Show for the overall best decorations is chosen from the two first-place winners in each category. Best of Show receives an additional $200.

Contest registration is free and is open throughout November. 

2022 WINNERS

Best of Show: Mike & Darlene Giesalhart (1001 Empire, El Campo)

Country Category

1st – Gary & Jeanette Schoenfield (3181 CR 405, El Campo)
2nd – Chad & Chantell Bacak (655 Charlene, El Campo)
3rd – Tom & Pam Hunt (2305 Hutchins Lane, El Campo)

Town Category

1st – Mike & Darlene Giesalhart (1001 Empire, El Campo)
2nd – JoAnn Shimek (1110 Meadow Creek, El Campo)
3rd – David Sabrsula (1005 Empire, El Campo)

District Semifinalists

District 1: Chris & Sandy Wishert (1197 Old Nada Road, Nada); Marily Popp (1094 CR 113, Garwood)
District 2: Scott & Amanda Honea (109 CR 372, Taiton)
District 3: No Entries
District 4: Shebra Adler (400 Meadowbrook, El Campo)
District 5: Victor & Mary Jane Balcar (6211 FM 2765, El Campo)
District 6: Chad & Chantell Bacak (655 Charlene, El Campo)
District 7: Gary & Jeanette Schoenfield; Robert & Elaine Reck (545 CR 404, El Campo)
District 8: No Entries
District 9: Tom & Pam Hunt; Clint Sabrsula (290 Della, El Campo)

2021 WINNERS

Best of Show: Kevin & Tammy Till (3004 CR 475, El Campo)

Country Category

1st – Kevin & Tammy Till (3004 CR 475, El Campo)
2nd – Gary & Jeanette Schoenfield (3181 CR 405, El Campo)
3rd – Shebra Adler (400 Meadowbrook, El Campo)

Town Category

1st – David Sabrsula (1005 Empire, El Campo)
2nd – Larry & Theresa Staff (802 Avenue I, El Campo)
3rd – JoAnn Shimek (1110 Meadow Creek Dr., El Campo)

District Semifinalists

District 1: Chris & Sandy Wishert; Timmy & Brenda Bittner
District 2: Kevin & Tammy Till; Gary & Madilyn Zbranek
District 3: Taylor & Audrey Graham
District 4: Shebra Adler; Bob & Sylvia Little
District 5: V.W. Tompkins, Douglas & Becky Koudela
District 6: Alphonse Janda, John & Kathy Tumlinson
District 7: Gary & Jeanette Schoenfield
District 8: No Entries
District 9: Tom & Pam Hunt