Enter the Gardens Aglow Community Lighting Contest

Who’s eligible?

If your home or business is located on the Boothbay peninsula in the towns of Edgecomb, Boothbay, East Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor or Southport, and your property is visible from a public roadway, you are eligible to win.  Employees and family members of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are not eligible.

How do I participate? 

The entry period for this contest has now closed. If you have any questions about the contest, please reach out to Tory Paxson directly at TPaxson@mainegardens.org.

The easiest way to enter is online via the form, but you can also enter by mail or email. To enter by mail, complete the PDF registration form and email it to Tory Paxson at TPaxson@mainegardens.org, or mail it to:
Gardens Aglow Lighting Contest c/o Tory Paxson
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
PO Box 234
Boothbay, Maine 04537

Entry forms must be received by  November 7, 2023 to be included on the lighting contest map and eligible for judging. There is no fee to enter. Your display must be completely installed and lit nightly beginning no later than November 29, 2023 between the hours of 4 – 9 p.m. and continued through the evening of January 1, 2024.

Judging and Awards:

Entrants will be included in a lighting contest map, and winners will be chosen both by popular vote in our People’s Choice Award as well as via community judges for our Judges’ Choice Award categories.

Winners of the Judges’ Choice Awards will be announced during festivities in downtown Boothbay Harbor on Dec. 2. Winners of the People’s Choice Awards will be announced in January.

Judges’ Choice: The Clark Griswold Award (Best lights to see from outer space) – Winner will receive $700.00 plus 10 tickets to Gardens Aglow 2023.
Judges’ Choice: Movie-Inspired Award (Lights inspired by a favorite or inspiring movie) – Winner will receive $700.00 plus 10 tickets to Gardens Aglow 2023.
Judges’ Choice: Enchanted Garden Award (Best lights inspired by a magical and enchanting garden) – Winner will receive $700.00 plus 10 tickets to Gardens Aglow 2023.
Judges’ Choice: Most Spectacular Award (Give it your all for the overall most spectacular award) – Winner will receive $700.00 plus 10 tickets to Gardens Aglow 2023.
People’s Choice Award (Overall popular vote) – Winner will receive $700.00 plus a Family Membership to the Gardens.