Special to the Enquirer  

There’s always that one house or street that really goes all out for the holidays: Lights, music, animatronics – it’s a sight people go out of their way to drive by at night. Hartselle Kiwanis Club wants to make finding those special displays easier with the 2020 Christmas Parade of Homes and decorating contest. 

“We had planned to have a more elaborate contest,” said Jennifer Williams, president of the Hartselle Kiwanis Club, “but this year’s pandemic has really affected our club and its members, so we are doing a scaled-back, simpler version that everyone can still enjoy. 

“Several volunteers were sick, in quarantine or at home with quarantining family members throughout the month of November,” Williams added, “so it was next to impossible to plan and do all that we wanted, but we feel so strongly about wanting to give back to the community and to spread some joy to the community this season, we wanted to forge ahead with a scaled-back version.” 

The Parade of Homes began Dec. 10 and will continue through Dec. 30. The listings and map will be updated as homes join the parade.  

Williams said people can vote for their favorite home online, and the home that receives the most votes online will win the People’s Choice Award.  

To have a home included in the listing and on the map, homeowners can visit the Kiwanis website at www.hartsellekiwanisclub.org to register and pay the tax-deductible donation of $10 per address.  

Money raised through the Christmas Parade of Homes/Decorating Contest will benefit the mission of Hartselle Kiwanis.  

“Each year, we raise money through our fundraising events to donate to community organizations that support children and their families, including the Shining Stars program and Habitat for Humanity,” Williams said. “We also are able to provide scholarships for Hartselle High School students each year.”