​What is Illuminate Calumet?
A holiday storefront decorating contest for businesses located in Calumet, Laurium and Calumet Township.

Light up the Calumet area this festive season and stand a chance to win while giving back! The Calumet area is usually beautiful and dressed in snow for the holidays and we invite you to join the fun by adding your unique touch this season!

Why should your business participate?

1. Festive Spirit: Ignite the holiday spirit by illuminating and decorating your business or building in creative and vibrant ways.
2. Visibility: Get featured! Main Street Calumet will showcase the storefronts of participating businesses on social media and our website throughout the holiday season, giving you a spotlight in the community.
3. Give and Receive:  Two winners will be selected to win a 1hr photo shoot with 2nd Sandbar Productions for their business! One winner will be selected via on-line voting (People's Choice) and one by a panel of in-person judges (Judges Choice). Professional images are great for websites, social media and overall branding of your business! 

​Judging Criteria
Decorations will be judged using six (6) categories.

1. Visibility: Ensure your decorations are easily viewed by walking outside your storefront.
2. Open to All Themes: While the competition centers around the holidays, designs that celebrate diverse cultures, traditions, and festive moments from around the world are highly encouraged. Creativity and representation matter!
3. Accessibility: Make your decorations a joy for everyone. This includes thinking about those with disabilities, for instance, providing tactile or auditory elements for those with visual impairments.
4. Community Collaboration: Collaborate with local artists, schools, or community groups for your decorations. Joint efforts that bring the community together will be highly regarded.
5. Interactive Elements: Engage visitors with interactive elements in your decor, such as QR codes linking to festive stories, music, or supporting local causes.
6. Local Pride: Incorporate elements that showcase the beauty, culture, and uniqueness of the Calumet area. Show your pride for our community!

How It Works
Register, get festive and win! 
👋 Register:  registrations will be accepted through Friday, December 8th. 
🎄 Deck the Halls: Use lights, decorations, scenery, and any creative elements you can think of to make your storefront or building shine.
📢 Promote the Public Vote: Use your business’s social media and any other channels you use to get the word out about your business to encourage the public to vote for your storefront. Public Voting will open starting on Saturday, December 2nd, so the sooner you register and complete your decorations the more time folks have to vote! 
🌆 Complete Decorating:  The final day to register and complete your decorations to be considered for the competition will be Friday, December 8th. 
🎉 Stay Lit: Keep the festive vibes alive by maintaining your decorations throughout the holiday season.
🔊 Win:  Winners will be announced the week of December 18th. One will be selected by judges using the below criteria, and the public will vote on one!

Public voting will be available here starting December 2nd!