Coastal Realty Services is brightening the holiday season with its inaugural “Shine-Off” Christmas light competition, offering South Okaloosa County residents a chance to win cash prizes while spreading seasonal cheer throughout their communities.

• The free competition, open to residential properties in Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Mary Esther, and Shalimar, will award prizes ranging from $50 to $100 across multiple categories. Winners will also receive commemorative yard signs celebrating their achievement.

“We started this competition as a way to bring the community together and spread holiday cheer across South Okaloosa County,” said Katie Coleman, Marketing Manager at Coastal Realty Services. “Many of our employees love the tradition of looking at Christmas lights, so we wanted to add our own twist to it.”

Residents can enter by submitting their information and display photos through an online form between November 25 – December 15. Participant addresses will remain private unless homeowners specifically request to share their location with the community. The Coastal Realty team will judge the displays in person from December 16-22, selecting first, second, and third place winners.

For the “Crowd Favorite” category, Coastal Realty Services will post submitted photos on their Facebook page for community voting, with the most-liked display winning an additional $100 prize. Winners will be announced December 22, with first place receiving $100, second place $75, and third place $50.

• Coleman emphasized the competition’s focus on community building: “This competition celebrates community spirit, encourages friendly competition, and gives families a reason to come together and create lasting memories.”

The company plans to make this an annual tradition for South Okaloosa County. For more information, contact Katie Coleman at 850-244-2100.