CARP – The Village of Carp Business Improvement Area (BIA) wants to make sure visitors can see the village from miles away this holiday season.

As the world moves towards what is looking like a COVID-19 pandemic-era Christmas, the Canadian business world has faced challenges never before seen. But the holiday spirit is alive and well in Carp and the BIA is going to extra lengths to make sure the community and all of Ottawa knows it.

The BIA is launching a Light up the Village campaign starting Nov. 13 and encouraging Carp’s businesses and residents to put their heart in to their Christmas lights this year.

“It’s for morale and to bring the community together,” BIA board member Neil Falls told West Carleton Online from the Carp Fairgrounds Friday (Oct. 23) morning. “We can’t promote our businesses to the same extent as we could in previous years, so this is something to promote our businesses and shine a little light on our community. Just to get us in the spirit.”

And those who make the effort have a chance to win prizes.

Starting after Remembrance Day, the BIA is launching a contest in partnership with West Carleton Online. The BIA will be offering bragging rights and a prize to the best-lighted business and residential home during the campaign.

The winning entries, as picked by the BIA board, will be awarded a trophy and a prize for their efforts.

The winning business will receive a business profile for publication in West Carleton Online as well as a business profile photography session.

The winning residence will receive a one-year subscription to West Carleton Online and the opportunity for a family photograph taken in front of their well-lit home.

To be eligible to win, send West Carleton Online an email with a photo of your place of business or home decorated for the holidays. We will create a special page on West Carleton Online for the entries to be seen by all West Carleton and beyond.

“We want people to come walk and drive through our village and feel festive and cheerful,” BIA chair Jennifer Stewart said. “Together, we can light up the village.”

Please email your entries, and include a photo, name, phone number and street address (phone numbers will not be published, to West Carleton Online at westcarletononline@gmail.com.