CAMDEN, WYOMING, De. - Camden and Wyoming have been feuding next door neighbors for decades.
According to Wyoming Mayor Steve Bilbrough, it stems from the split of the police department in the 90s, but he and new Camden Mayor Tracy Torres can help mend some fences and reunite the communities.
"We thought that both of us, being new mayors, that maybe it was a time that we could come together and work collaboratively on some community events, and I came up with the idea of a Christmas light competition this year," explained Bilbrough.
Both towns are now going head to head to see which town has the best decorated home. Torres says that she hopes the contest will make spirits bright after a tough year.
"I immediately started receiving thank yous, we've been doing some wreaths downtown in Camden, so we're hoping for better participation next year, but I think it will help bring the spirit a little bit this year, considering the way things have been," said Torres.
Over 30 families have registered to participate in the light contest, including the Wygant family from Camden.
Tami and Mark Wygant, along with their three children, have been doing their light display for about 5 years, and it takes weeks to put it all together, between the placement of the decorations and coordinating music. They say it's not about competition, but about the joy it brings those who come through.
"We'll come outside people will be dancing on the sidewalk, we've seen the senior center out here parked with the van out there, just trying to get out of the normal, and right now everything is so different that it's nice to be able to do something safely from the cars and everything else," Tami told us.
Paul and Crystal Allen of Wyoming have been doing a big light display for years, and say they buy decorations up to a year in advance, and say they are already making plans for next year. The Allens were one of the first homeowners to sign up for the light contest.
"Oh yeah it gives you a little something to shoot for. And then lets everybody see maybe we can get the word out there and more people will come see it," explained Paul. "Brighten up the world, one house at a time."
While there will always be a little competition between Camden and Wyoming, this one has the holiday spirit at the forefront.
For the map of all the houses participating in the light contest, click here. Voting begins tomorrow for the best light display, and runs until December 13th. You can cast your vote here for your favorite home. The winner will receive a prize donated by local Camden and Wyoming businesses.
