Springfield, Ohio, resident Cody Anderson is the grand prize winner of Ohio Edison's second annual 'Merry & Bright' Holiday Lights Photo Contest, a competition conducted on the company's Facebook page.

Anderson spent weeks creating an elaborate light display that received more than 1,200 votes out of nearly 3,000 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 lighting displays on the Ohio Edison Facebook page during the first several weeks of December. Ten finalists were selected from all entries, and visitors to Ohio Edison's Facebook page voted to select the winners.

For many years, the Anderson family has enjoyed creating a colorful holiday display. This year's display of more than 32,000 lights also included a fence of lights around his yard, Christmas music and dozens of blow-mold decorations that were passed down from his late father.

'My light display has helped our family and other grieving families get through the holidays with some cheer,' said Anderson, who lost his father a few years ago. 'Not only is it a tradition for us to put up the lights, it has become a tradition for people to make our house one of the must-see places for holiday lights.'

Runners-up Scott and Michelle Naelitz of Brunswick, Ohio, came in a close second with 1,114 votes, and won a $100 Visa gift card. Their festive display was comprised of more than 40,000 lights synced to music, 20 inflatables, 50 illuminated plastic decorations and lighted arches along their driveway. A few other highlights included an 18-foot toy soldier and a large colorfully lit 'Joy' sign across their roof.

'Our 'Merry & Bright' Holiday Lights Photo Contest showcases some of the most spectacular holiday scenes in the 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 Ohio Edison Facebook page or on Flickr.

CONTACT: Lauren Siburkis, (330) 384-7998

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 19:29:03 UTC.

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