Enter Holiday Decorations By Dec. 26—And Vote!—to Win $100,000 for District 196

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to win a $100,000 gift from Patch to District 196 schools—just a few days left to enter!

Patch.com is launching a nationwide contest to find the best dressed home in its Patch communities, and the winner’s school district will receive $100,000, no strings attached. (As an added bonus, Patch could also pay your December electric bill!)

Here’s how the contest works: Beginning on Dec. 8 and continuing through Dec. 26, you can nominate your home by uploading a photo or video to the contest entry form on the site. During that same time period you and your neighbors will also be able to vote for your favorite festive home. The winning entry will be forwarded to a national Patch judge that will select 24 finalists. Each finalist will receive $500 that they can apply to their December electric bill.

From Dec. 30 through Jan. 8 you will be able to vote for the Best Decked House in all of Patch. The grand prize winner’s school district will receive a $100,000 check from Patch.

So, get out your lights and ladders (and your competitive spirit)! Whether your style is sophisticated or silly, we want you to dress up your house in the name of good cheer and our kids. At the very least, your town will be decked out like it’s never been before. And if we win, what better gift could we give to Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district kids?

Enter by Dec. 26! Apple Valley residents can submit entries and vote here: Patch's Deck the House website

If you’ve got any questions, post them in the comments section below and we’ll share the answers with everyone in town. Click for full contest rules.

Pssst! Want tips on taking great photos of your holiday decorations at night? .