TRAVERSE CITY -- Christmas cheer is lighting up nearly five months ahead of the holiday in downtown Traverse City.
Traverse City's Downtown Development Authority has a display of six various styles of holiday lights along the north side of State Street, across from the Park Place Hotel. But it's not because they're anxious for snowflakes.
The agency intends to buy new energy-efficient holiday lights for the trees in downtown Traverse City in time for this year's winter season, said Colleen Paveglio, marketing director.
The LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, will be paid for with $45,000 in grant money from the Traverse City Light & Power Community Investment Fund. The DDA will provide a $10,000 match toward the purchase.
"We're excited about using more energy-efficient lights," Paveglio said.
Utility bills for the holiday lighting schedule are expected to decrease with the new strings of bulbs, potentially saving the agency thousands of dollars over the next several years, she said.
Now officials want the community to help decide which set of pretty white lights to buy.
"What we want to do is get a feel for what kind of lights people like," Paveglio said.
That's why there are six trees with one strand of lights, each numbered for the informal community poll.
"Of course, the trees are covered in leaves, so you have to look really closely," Paveglio said.
Residents are encouraged to check out the lights between 8:30 p.m. and midnight, then vote by e-mail or telephone on which they like the best. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Wednesday for feedback and officials say they want as many comments as possible.
"The more the merrier," Paveglio said.
Participants are asked to submit no more than their top two choices by calling (231) 922-2050, or by e-mailing info@downtowntc.com.
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