LIGHT UP! Rockford 2023 with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 364. See all the entries including this year's winner.

LIGHT UP! Rockford 2023

As in years past, all that was required to enter this contest was to send us at least one photo of your holiday decorations. This contest couldn't have been any easier to try to win and the grand prize of $500.

Ever wondered why we wrap trees and everything in lights at Christmas time?

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Why We Put Up Christmas Lights

According to one source on the history of Christmas lights, hundreds of years ago, Norsemen celebrated the midwinter holiday, Yule. In addition to celebrations and singing, this holiday also featured a burning log in every home fireplace.

The tradition spread throughout Europe, and for Christians the light in the darkness came to symbolize Jesus.

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First Lighted Christmas Tree

The first known electrically illuminated Christmas tree was the creation of Edward H. Johnson, who worked closely with Thomas Edison. The tree was hand-wired with 80 red, white, and blue electric incandescent light bulbs that were the size of walnuts. The tree was plugged in on December 22, 1882, at his home on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

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By 1900, businesses started stringing up Christmas lights behind their windows as  Christmas lights were still too expensive for the average person.

It would be almost three decades later before people started replacing the candles on their trees with electric lights.

Stateline Christmas Lights 2023

LIGHT UP! Rockford 2023 with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 364. See all the entries including this year's winner.

Gallery Credit: Steve Shannon

LOOK: 25 over-the-top Christmas displays from across America

To help get everyone in the mood for the upcoming holiday season, Stacker compiled a list of some of the most over-the-top Christmas displays across America.

Gallery Credit: Annalise Mantz & Madison Troyer

 

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