Bland Board of Aldermen approved a Bland Magical Christmas Decorating Competition Nov. 12 to help increase community involvement.

Residents will have until Dec. 20 to decorate their homes or properties within the city limits. The mayor will judge the decorations and announce the winner.

The conversation about having an event began when Jim Krause told the board that they needed to find a way to improve community involvement.

Board members discussed the possibility of a Yard of the Month, Best Christmas Display, or other types of community improvement.

“About the only reward you are going to get is your name in the paper,” Alderman Diana Mayfield joked.

Mayfield said a Yard of the Month would at least keep the community’s attention. Public Works Director Jason Lewis said PEP (Protect Every Pet) wins this year, as they tore down an old house to use the property as a parking lot.

Alderman Sherry Spradling asked who would take the pictures. Mayfield said they could take them or give the address to the paper. She moved to approve the decorating contest, which passed with a 3-0 vote.

Anyone who is directly related to the board or on the board cannot participate.

No registration is required.