Light Up McCook!

The scene looking north up Norris Avenue on Wednesday night depicted a busy business district with active nightlife ready to greet holiday shoppers and merry-makers.

Shary Skiles/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. - The holidays have come a bit early to McCook this year, but if Wednesday night’s vision is any indication of the things to come, McCook promises to be magical this holiday season.

The McCook Chamber, and the McCook Community Foundation Fund sponsored a “Light Up McCook” decorating contest in an attempt to “make McCook shine” prior to hosting several visitors in the upcoming days.

The Nebraska Community Foundation’s annual meeting begins today, Cultivate Rural Leadership Symposium is tomorrow, as well as the McCook Farm Ranch and Hemp Expo. These events will bring hundreds of visitors to town.

Wild Ass Soap Company, located north of McCook, took first place in the holiday decorating contest. Hundreds of lights decorated every tree on the property.

Shary Skiles/McCook Gazette

Thirty businesses signed up to decorate and compete for the prize money - $250 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third.

Decorating was judged based on creativity, appearance, and effort.

First place went to Wild Ass Soap Company, second to Pinnacle Bank, and thrid went to McCook Abstract.

The Pinnacle Bank building on West B Street was the second place winner. The white lights covering all the greenery and the icicle lights hanging from the portico create a magical scene.

Shary Skiles/McCook Gazette