A Union, W.Va., resident is the winner of Mon Power's 'Merry & Bright' Holiday Lights Photo Contest, a competition conducted for the first time on the company's Facebook page.

Grand prize winner Clayton Hoke received more than 400 votes out of nearly 1,400 total votes cast on Facebook. He won a $200 Visa gift card and a set of Lumenplay app-enabled LED lights.

Customers were encouraged to submit photos of their homes' outdoor holiday light displays on the Mon Power Facebook page during the first several weeks of December. Ten finalists were selected from all entries, and visitors to Mon Power's Facebook page voted to select the winners.

Hoke's niece Cathy Wilson - who lives across the street from him - entered his display into the to recognize him for his years of lighting up their community and providing holiday cheer.

'My Uncle Clayton is retired and enjoys planning out his Christmas display each year,' said Wilson. 'Setting it up brings him as much joy as it does to everyone in our little town who sees it.'

With more than 15,000 lights, Hoke's display covers his entire front yard and features lighted trees, reindeer, candy canes and inflatables. Wilson said her uncle is already thinking of new ideas for next year to make his display bigger and brighter.

Runner up Kathy Fowler of Westover, W.Va., received 367 votes on Facebook and won a $100 Visa gift card. Fowler credits the success of her holiday display to her father's knack for decorating. Each year, they team up to hang icicle lights around the home, as well as place Santa and his sleigh, reindeer and lighted candy canes throughout the yard.

'Our 'Merry & Bright' Holiday Lights Photo Contest showcases some of the most spectacular holiday scenes across our region,' said Rosemary Spoljarick, manager of community involvement at FirstEnergy. 'Thanks to everyone who entered the contest and voted for their favorite display on Facebook. Congratulations to the winners!'

View the winning photos on the Mon Power Facebook page or on Flickr.

FirstEnergy Corporation published this content on 15 January 2018 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 15 January 2018 19:14:01 UTC.

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