It’s time for the finals, and now three cities are left to compete for the title of the best Christmas decorations in Alabama.
The Christmas spirit is alive and well in three cities in Alabama, as they compete in the finals of an online voting contest. The winner will be decided on Monday, December 23rd, at midnight. Cast your vote in the poll below.
The finalists were chosen based on the results of an informal poll conducted on AL.com last week. The poll, which closed at midnight on Monday, determined the winners from three different regions.
Fort Payne: Christmas in Dixie
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Fort Payne, a city located in the North Region and serving as the seat of DeKalb County, emerged as the clear winner in the recent election. Out of the total 3,456 votes cast, Fort Payne secured 1,905 votes, accounting for 55.1% of the total. Cullman, the second-place city, garnered 986 votes, making up 25.9% of the votes.
Christmas in Fort Payne, Alabama. Photos provided by John Dersham, Fort Payne’s Tourism Director.
Fort Payne Mayor Brian Blaine commends the continuous growth of the city’s Christmas decorations, which have made it a popular destination for visitors.
Blaine expressed, “The entire downtown area is adorned with festive decorations. In the past few years, we have made a conscious effort to enhance the visibility of these decorations, resulting in numerous social media posts. We have adopted the theme ‘Christmas in Dixie,’ inspired by Alabama’s song, and have incorporated it into our banners that are displayed all around the town.”
Opelika: Tallest Tree
Opelika emerged as the victor in the Central Region, surpassing Carrollton. The vote count revealed that Opelika, a city in Lee County with a population of over 33,000, triumphed over Carrollton in West Alabama by a margin of 364 votes (1,691 votes to 1,327 votes). Completing the region were Fayette and Jasper.
Opelika boasts the largest Christmas tree in Alabama. The towering 72-foot tree, located outside the Lee County Courthouse, is a beloved centerpiece of the city’s festive decorations. With 1,058 individual branches, 4,232 ornaments, and over 105,000 lights stretching an impressive six miles, this magnificent tree captures the spirit of the season. Remarkably, it falls just two feet short of the height of the Christmas tree showcased at Rockefeller Center in New York City this year.
Opelika, a city in Alabama, proudly revealed its impressive Christmas tree, which now holds the title for being the tallest in the state. The city of Opelika showcased their magnificent creation, capturing the attention and admiration of all who beheld it. The unveiling of the Christmas tree marks a significant milestone for Opelika, as it brings joy and excitement to residents and visitors alike during the festive season. The towering tree stands as a symbol of holiday cheer and community spirit, serving as a beacon of light and hope for all.
Leigh Krehling, Opelika’s community relations officer, who played a key role in the tree project, expressed that the newly planted tree serves as a replacement for the old one that had started to resemble a tree from Whoville.
Millry: Smallest town, biggest votes
The small town of Millry in Washington County, with its population of fewer than 500 residents, proved its mettle by rallying its supporters on social media to defeat Andalusia in the South Region. This victory was no easy task, considering Andalusia’s renowned status as a Christmas wonderland for families and young visitors, famously known as “Christmas in Candyland.”
Millry takes great pride in its own Candyland, and they are eager to share it with the public. The small, rural community’s fourth annual “Christmas in the Park” started with a vision from Grant Smith. He wanted to create a holiday-themed walking trail, and it has since transformed into a breathtaking wonderland of lights. With an estimated 800,000 to 1 million lights, this event is a must-see for visitors.
Kim Anderson, marketing director at Christmas in the Park, shared that their small town of about 600 people has already welcomed visitors from Florida and Georgia. Despite being a one red-light town, Millry proudly displays new signs on Highway 17 that say, “Welcome to Millry. Home to Christmas in the Park.”
In the finals, Millry emerged as the top contender, securing the highest number of votes in the overall polling. The small town garnered an impressive 2,613 votes, surpassing Andalusia’s 2,310 votes. Completing the South Region were Foley and Fairhope.
This is your opportunity to make your decision before the holiday season. Starting now until midnight on Monday, December 23, you can cast your vote for the city that should be crowned as AL.com’s Christmas City for 2024.