Beltrami County Holiday Lights Contest Winners Announced, Displays Remain Through New Year

The Bemidji Pioneer and the First City of Lights Foundation announced the winners of the 2025 Tour of Homes holiday light contest on December 24, awarding cash prizes and local honors to several residences across Beltrami County. People's Choice first place with a $150 prize went to the home at 1003 15th Street Northwest, noted for projecting holiday movies onto the house and garage while running synchronized audio. People's Choice second place went to 1180 East Avenue North and third place went to 4930 Power Dam Road Northeast.

Judges named the house at 23567 398th Street in Laporte as Judge's Choice first place, awarding a $250 prize and the traveling trophy. The announcement included additional judge placements and ties, with full listings available on the map that organizers provided. The displays are illuminated from 5 to 10 p.m. through January 1, making the route accessible to families and visitors during the final week of the holiday season.

For residents and local businesses the contest helps concentrate evening activity in neighborhoods that participate. The Pioneer and the Tourist Information Center are distributing a map of participating homes to guide drivers and limit unnecessary circling, which can ease pressure on residential streets and municipal parking. Local restaurants and shops near featured displays typically see increased foot traffic when visitors combine light tours with dining and errands, supporting small business revenue during a season that can be decisive for year end results.

Municipal planners and community organizers may note operational considerations as well. Concentrated evening visitation can create short term demands for traffic management, lighting maintenance and public safety oversight, and the concentration of displays through January 1 compresses that demand into a predictable window. Looking ahead, the contest also highlights opportunities to promote energy efficient lighting and coordinated schedules to balance community enjoyment with neighborhood impacts.

The Tour of Homes remains a visible marker of local civic pride, with monetary awards, a traveling trophy, and a countywide route that encourages residents to explore displays across city and rural addresses. Visitors can use the Pioneer and Tourist Information Center map to plan evening routes and to find the addresses of winning homes.