CANFIELD — A local family’s Christmas display has been named the first winner of Ohio Edison’s “Merry and Bright” holiday lights contest this winter season.

Chris Cole’s “Cole Family Winter Wonderland” at 4865 My Way Drive, Canfield, was selected as a contest winner. Cole received a $100 Amazon gift card for his efforts to light up the winter night.

Cole said that he loves to brighten the holiday season and inspire his neighbors with classical holiday pieces. For him, the magical props evoke nostalgic memories from his childhood.

The “Merry and Bright” contest continues through Dec. 16 with a winner selected weekly. Photos or videos of holiday displays can be submitted to Ohio Edison’s company Facebook page. Participants must be 18 years or older and customers of Ohio Edison or another FirstEnergy company, according to a news release.

Anyone putting up holiday decorations is encouraged to do so safely — never hammer tacks or nails into electrical cords, use extension cords approved for outside use, plug lights and inflatables into grounded outlets, and put lights on a timer or turn them off before bed to reduce the possibility of overnight electrical hazards.

Ohio Edison also reminds residents to be aware of electrical hazards when decorating outdoors, such as powerlines or utility equipment. As for indoor lighting, lights should not touch window treatments, carpets, furniture or drapes and flammable decorations should be kept away from open flames or heat sources. It’s best to avoid overloading extension cords by using no more than three strands of lights per cord.

The Cole family lights are included on a list of local holiday displays on the Canfield Christmas Lights LLC social media page. Other Mahoning County shows on the page’s 2022 list include static light displays:

Jones Family Christmas Display, 6818 Fairview Road, Austintown;

McCoys Christmas Land, 292 Broad St. Struthers;

Jacobs Christmas Wonderland, 758 Wood Ave.;

Ken and Diane Hodges, 3393 Est Calla Road, Poland;

The Crum Family Display, 15065 Creek Road, Diamond.

Animated light displays:

Worona Family Display, 6735 Sodom-Hutchings Road, Girard;

Igo’s Griswold Light Show, 9093 12th Street, North Benton;

Youngstown Christmas Lights, 353 S. Bellavista Ave., Youngstown;

Dr. Musser’s Winter Wonderland, 3946 Montrecale Drive, Canfield;

Ellsworth Holiday Lights, 10827 Berlin Station Road, Canfield;

Christmas Lights on Oran Drive, 3033 Oran Drive, Youngstown;

Canfield Christmas Lights, 333 Fairview Ave., Canfield;

Pixel light displays:

Christmas at the Crossroads, 251 Forest Hill Drive, Austintown;

Warmouth Christmas Light Show, 1841 Lancaster Drive, Youngstown.

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